When healthy, Matisse Thybulle is one of the best wing defenders in the entire league. He's had two NBA All-Defensive Second Team appearances in 2021 and 2022. Thybulle has been an elite defender throughout his career, but he has also emerged as a valuable 3-and-D wing as his three-point shooting has improved.
In his two seasons with the Blazers, Thybulle has shot 38.8 percent and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, he's yet to play for Portland this season after having knee surgery followed by an ankle sprain, which set his return date further back.
Matisse Thybulle will be re-evaluted in two weeks
Thybulle had off-season surgery in October to address inflammation in his right knee. He was given a three-to-four-week recovery timeline. But unfortunately, the Blazers' wing suffered a grade 2 right ankle sprain in late November. Thybulle was then given an estimated recovery timeline of three-to-six weeks.
Not only are we well past the six-week mark, but now, Thybulle will be out for at least an additional two weeks, according to Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620.
Blazers say Matisse Thybulle is continuing to progress in his recovery from the right ankle sprain he suffered in November and will be re-evaluated in two weeks as he continues return-to-play reconditioning.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) January 11, 2025
Did Thybulle already play his last game for the Blazers?
The last game Thybulle played was on Mar. 29, 2024. If that is indeed his last game as a member of the Blazers, it wasn't very memorable from his or the team's standpoint. Thybulle played seven minutes, recording two assists and one rebound, while the Blazers were annihilated by the Miami Heat, 142-84.
Ideally, the Blazers would like to get Thybulle back on the court to prove to teams that he's healthy and increase his value before the Feb. 6 deadline. However, the two-week re-evaluation timeframe makes that more challenging.
Thybulle's improved shooting and elite defense could make the Blazers' wing an attractive trade target at the deadline, even though he has yet to play a game in 2024-25. Portland would be wise to listen to offers, too.
He's not a perfect fit for their rebuilding timeline at 27, and, more importantly, they risk letting him walk for nothing in free agency after this season. Thybulle has an $11.6 million player option for next year. He could explore opportunities to join a contender and/or secure a long-term deal elsewhere. Additionally, the key additions of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara make Thybulle more expendable.
Time will tell if Thybulle is moved prior to the trade deadline. There's always the possibility that Thybulle could return to the court in a Blazers jersey before then. But the latest injury update isn't good timing for his chances, especially since he's a potential trade candidate on a Blazers team that is expected to be sellers at the deadline.