Despite having the same agent as Damian Lillard, who has requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Matisse Thybulle told NBA reporters in Las Vegas on July 10 that he’s happy to be back in Portland.
Thybulle signed a three-year, $33 million offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks as a restricted free agent. The Blazers matched the Mavericks’ offer sheet, keeping the two-time All-NBA defender.
“I got here and immediately stepped into a bigger role than I’d ever had,” Thybulle said. “It was an opportunity to showcase more. I’m grateful for it.”
Lillard wants to get traded by the Blazers to the Miami Heat. Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has told non-Miami teams not to trade for his client since Lillard only wants to play for the Heat.
“My agent made it clear to me that Dame in Portland and Matisse in Portland are two very separate situations,” Thybulle said. “I took his word for it and didn’t give it much more thought.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Matisse Thybulle & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
As it turns out, Thybulle “desperately” wanted to be on the Mavericks, according to NBA insiders Chris Haynes and Marc Stein. Word around the NBA is that Thybulle had his eyes on Dallas for quite a while.
“The vibe I’ve gotten is that Thybulle really did want to end up with Dallas,” Stein said on his podcast with Haynes. “This is something Thybulle’s been wanting even before this summer. Dallas has been talked about as a potential destination. The Mavericks have explored in the past pathways to trade for Thybulle.”
Added Haynes: “Matisse desperately wanted to be a member of the Dallas Mavericks.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Matisse Thybulle & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Thybulle played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Blazers last season. He averaged 4.1 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 43.5% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 67.9% from the free-throw line. The 26-year-old is one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA.
Thybulle has career averages of 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists with the Sixers and Blazers. He played his college basketball at Washington.
A Lillard trade is not expected to happen anytime soon. This trade demand could drag on for months since the Blazers want multiple first-round picks and quality players in return for Lillard.
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