The Los Angeles Lakers working to upgrade their wing spots in free agency has been an open secret. After the initial flurry of moves, the search for more bodies at those positions has been well-known to all. The name that has constantly come up is Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga and the Lakers have been endlessly connected in the rumor mill for weeks. Despite that, there has been no traction on a deal getting done just yet. Money is reportedly the hold-up for the two parties.
Perhaps an effort to get things moving explains the newest rumor involving the Lakers. Los Angeles has another target emerging in their search for wing play. This one would be a great deal cheaper than the yearly $25 million price range that Kuminga is reportedly eyeing.
Marc Stein tweeted: "The Lakers have again broadened their search for perimeter defense, league sources say, registering interest this week in free agent Matisse Thybulle. They have already added Ziaire Williams while also continuing to pursue Jonathan Kuminga."
Matisse Thybulle gives the Lakers a contigency plan for Jonathan Kuminga
Teams will often leak information to their own benefit, especially during a time like free agency. This could be just that for the Lakers.
Any negotiating table that has Rob Pelinka at it should now feature a subtle smirk. The Lakers general manager can directly point to Thybulle as leverage for contract talks or trade dealings.
If Pelinka is meeting with Kuminga's representatives, there can be an attempt to keep his cost down from the absurd $25 million that is being demanded. Remember, the Lakers were coming in at about two years and $20 million with their previously-reported offer to him. There is certainly some discrepancy between those two sides if that is true.
Meanwhile, the Lakers would also have to go through the Atlanta Hawks to get a sign-and-trade done after filling up their 15-man roster with the addition of Ziaire Williams. Having Thybulle as a backup plan could allow Los Angeles leverage in not overpaying with draft pick capital to Atlanta.
With either party, the Matisse of it all matters,
Realistically, if negotiations with Kuminga and/or the Hawks do fall through, there are far worse backup plans out there than Thybulle. Health permitting, the former Portland Trail Blazers wing is still an impactful defender whose 3-point shot improved as his career has continued.
There is far less risk in giving Thybulle a one-year, veteran minimum, too. If Kuminga and the Hawks do not want to play ball, the Lakers have a perfectly reasonable escape route.
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