A short rotation and an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves has again shone a torch on the Golden State Warriors’ depth as we approach the February 9 trade deadline.
Just seven players saw at least 15 minutes in the 53-minute contest at Target Center on Wednesday — a fact made more precarious by the fact Golden State will visit Denver in the second night of a back-to-back on Thursday.
With their roster construction again in the spotlight, a new player has been linked with a move to the Golden State Warriors.
Philadelphia 76ers wing Matisse Thybulle could be a name to monitor, with the Warriors looming as a potential destination according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. A limited role in Doc Rivers’ rotation could see the 25-year-old moved over the next week.
"“Multiple sources said the Golden State Warriors have had internal discussions about Thybulle and they do like him as a defensive stopper…At the moment, multiple league sources said Thybulle’s lack of consistent production has lowered his trade value. The source said, at this time, they wouldn’t give up a first-round pick for him…Right now, the source added, there’s still concern with his reduced role and inability to make shots in the postseason”, Pompey wrote."
Thybulle’s noted as one of the best wing defenders in the league, making him an intriguing prospect for any playoff team. However, his complete lack of offense is a major concern and the primary reason behind his reduction from 25.5 minutes in 2021-22 to just 12.1 this season.
With Kevon Looney, Donte DiVincenzo and Jonathan Kuminga the first three off the bench, one would argue the Warriors need an offensive boost to their second unit more so than a defensive one. In saying that, Thybulle would instantly be their best defensive counter to any guard/wing that gets off the leash — he’d perhaps provide a little more consistency and reliability than the much improved but still slightly raw Kuminga.
What would it take to pry Thybulle away from the 76ers? This is a team that holds the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and views themselves in championship contention as a result. The fourth-year guard is on an expiring $4.4 million deal, complicating matters given he’ll be a restricted free agent during the offseason.
The most obvious and easiest deal to make would be one involving Moses Moody. The 20-year-old has been unable to crack a regular rotation role with the Warriors, and has even spent time developing in the G League recently. Moody’s $3.7 million contract makes a direct swap between the two plausible.
Still, giving up a lottery pick in his second season would be a significant risk, and one that Bob Myers may not ultimately go for. Moody’s lack of impact thus far may cause Sixers general manager Daryl Morey to reject the idea regardless. The only other option would be a combination of JaMychal Green and Patrick Baldwin Jr., though the Warriors likely want to keep the latter more so than Moody anyway.
Thybulle wouldn’t be the worst option, yet he’s probably not the best fit with the Warriors current roster. While he could average 15 minutes or so over the remainder of the regular season, his offensive liabilities could be too hard to ignore come playoff time.