Sacramento Kings monitoring status of elite perimeter defender

The Sacramento Kings know their weaknesses, it seems. More importantly, they are looking to address those weaknesses ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

According to Marc Stein, the Kings are ‘very much’ monitoring the status of Philadephia 76ers wing Matisse Thybulle. If he becomes available, the Kings may look to swoop in and make a trade for him in order to improve their perimeter defense.

The 76ers have somewhat limited trade flexibility right now but some would argue they need to make some sort of move to truly compete for an NBA Championship. Thybulle is averaging just 12.1 minutes per game for the 76ers this season.

If the 76ers aren’t using him to shake up the roster for this season, they could also look to duck the luxury tax before an off-season where they are expected to hand out some large contracts to current players. Regardless of how the route gets selected, there’s reason to believe the Kings are smart for keeping an eye on this situation.

Thybulle would instantly become the Kings top defensive option and he would give head coach Mike Brown a lot more flexibility in his rotation. Thybulle would create a very good defensive combination at the guard and wing spots alongside Davion Mitchell.

Kings need a defender like Thybulle

A big, physical wing like Thybulle is just what the Kings need on their current roster. He’d for a suddenly deep and versatile wing rotation alongside players like Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter.

One strength of Thybulle’s would naturally allow the Kings to score more in transition. He is great at getting in passing lanes and finding his way to deflections when in the half-court defensively.

Although he is listed at 6’5”, Thybulle would be another stretch four in the Kings rotation but he would be the first of his defensive caliber. The guy on the team that can be asked to guard the best scoring wings in the NBA on a night-in and night-out basis.

It’s hard to tell if the 76ers will truly entertain offers for their defensive stud. For that reason, the Kings are smart to make sure they are monitoring the situation in case he does become very available ahead of this year’s NBA trade deadline.