Free agency rumors: Dallas Mavericks interested in 2x NBA All-Defensive Team wing

The Dallas Mavericks have had a quiet first few days of free agency.

On the first day of free agency, the Mavs re-signed star point guard Kyrie Irving to a three-year, $126 million contract less than an hour into free agency. Keeping Irving was Dallas’ No. 1 priority in free agency, and it was huge that they got his deal done quickly.

Later on Friday night, the Mavs signed Seth Curry to a two-year deal. This will be Curry’s third stint with the Mavericks, and this move adds another shooter to come off Dallas’ bench.

The Mavs also re-signed Dwight Powell and signed Dante Exum. None of Dallas’ deals have been bad, but they haven’t addressed their need for a new starting center and wing.

It’s clear that Dallas needs help on the wing, and they have to make a move soon as players are signing with different teams left and right. Dallas can’t wait too long, as they would risk losing one of their targeted players.

Dallas has been linked to restricted free agent Grant Williams for a while now, but according to Marc Stein, another wing has been reported to be on the Mavs’ radar (subscription required). That wing is 2x NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team award winner Matisse Thybulle.

Thybulle played the first three years of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Portland Trailblazers in the middle of last season. In the 22 games he played in Portland, Thybulle averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Thybulle is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and would be a great addition to the Mavs.

Thybulle would be Dallas’ go-to defender down the stretch and guard the other team’s best player. He is 6-foot-5, which may seem small for an NBA wing, but he has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Thybulle would be a solid 3-and-D wing on this team and have the chance to start next to Luka Doncic and Irving. His three-point shot has improved since entering the league, and he shot the best he ever has in Portland (38.8 percent from three).

This isn’t the first time the Mavs have been interested in Thybulle, and they could pry him away from the Blazers if they offer him enough money. Dallas could also try to work out a sign-and-trade with Portland to land him on the Mavs.

Stay tuned to see what moves the Mavs decide to make in free agency and if they decide to sign Thybulle. He is a restricted free agent, meaning the Mavs can’t sign him to an offer sheet until July 6. Until then, we’ll have you covered with all the latest free agency buzz surrounding the Mavs.