Examining 3 potential trade targets for the Cavs to pursue

Potential target No. 2: Matisse Thybulle

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. I’m a sucker for good perimeter defenders, and Matisse Thybulle is one of the best of them. He’s already made the All-Defensive 2nd Team twice in his career, in his second and third season. He’s up for a new contract this offseason, and I am not sure if the Philadelphia 76ers will be willing to offer him a new deal.

Offensively speaking, he’s not really all that great. He’s shooting 41.0% from the field this season, and he is shooting 32.7% from distance. He’s also never shot over 1.0 free throw attempts per game in his entire career, which isn’t all that eye-popping. This is why Philadelphia might want to move on from him, because of his lack of offense.

However, he is a defensive monster. He isn’t getting a lot of playing time this season, so I won’t judge him for his poor stats this year. But, last season he averaged 1.7 steals per game and 1.1 blocks per game (he’s only 6’5”and getting over a block a night!). He’s also only 25 years old, so he might be able to grow more offensively.

I know this doesn’t really have a lot to do with basketball, but I loved his vlogs in the NBA bubble a few years ago. I thought that he is a really nice guy and would definitely fit well in the Cavs’ locker room. Plus, he’s only making a bit over $4 million this year, so maybe trading Dylan Windler and some second-round picks could get the deal done.

Would I trade for Thybulle? Yes, 100%. I think having someone who can be put on the opponent’s best wing or guard could be really helpful, especially in the playoffs. Giving up Windler isn’t the end of the world, and the Cavs have multiple second-round picks still available, assuming Philadelphia would accept the trade in that sense.