“LAKERS EYE DEFENSIVE DEPTH: Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart, and Ayo Dosunmu Emerge as Targets in Preliminary Trade Talks, per Report”
The Los Angeles Lakers are once again in the thick of offseason buzz, and this time the talk revolves around their interest in defensive-minded guards. According to a report by Anthony Irwin, the Lakers have shown preliminary interest in Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart, and Ayo Dosunmu. While no official offers have been made yet, sources close to the team suggest that these players are among a list of names the front office has inquired about as they assess their options to retool the roster. The focus is clearly on bolstering perimeter defense and toughness, qualities that have defined past championship Lakers squads and are increasingly vital in today’s pace-and-space NBA.
The Lakers’ desire to add defensive grit comes as no surprise. Their 2024–25 campaign ended prematurely with a disappointing first-round playoff exit, a stark reminder that while they boast star power in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the supporting cast was inconsistent and defensively vulnerable. For a team that ranked middle of the pack in defensive efficiency, the need for elite perimeter defenders is glaring. It’s why players like Thybulle, Smart, and Dosunmu make logical sense as potential trade targets—they bring a level of defensive versatility and tenacity that the current roster largely lacks.
Matisse Thybulle is perhaps the most straightforward fit among the names mentioned. Widely regarded as one of the premier wing defenders in the league, Thybulle made his name with the Philadelphia 76ers and continued his defensive dominance with the Portland Trail Blazers. Though his offensive game is still a work in progress, his ability to guard multiple positions, generate steals, and alter the rhythm of opposing offenses would make him a valuable addition to a Lakers team that often struggles at the point of attack. He isn’t the kind of player who needs the ball to be effective, which makes him an ideal fit alongside ball-dominant stars like LeBron and AD.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart represents a different kind of target—one that could reshape the team’s locker room identity. Known for his grit, leadership, and unrelenting defensive presence, Smart has been the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics and, more recently, a key contributor for the Memphis Grizzlies. While Memphis continues to assess its own future, Smart has emerged as a potential buyout candidate, which has drawn the attention of multiple teams, including the Lakers. Adding Smart would not just improve on-court defense—it would inject the kind of vocal leadership and championship mentality that the Lakers often seem to lack when LeBron isn’t on the floor. His ability to guard positions 1 through 3, run an offense when needed, and set a tone of accountability has long made him a coveted asset around the league.
However, Smart’s availability is the most complicated among the trio. Unlike Thybulle and Dosunmu, who are younger and still developing, Smart’s veteran status and sizeable contract make him a less straightforward acquisition unless he is bought out. That said, if the Grizzlies do opt for a roster shakeup and Smart becomes available, the Lakers will almost certainly be among the frontrunners to land him. His fit on both ends of the floor, combined with his playoff experience, would be invaluable for a Lakers team desperate to make one more championship push before LeBron hangs it up.
Ayo Dosunmu, on the other hand, is a younger, under-the-radar option who may not command the same attention as Thybulle or Smart but has steadily impressed with the Chicago Bulls. Dosunmu’s calling card is his defensive versatility and motor—traits that fit seamlessly with the Lakers’ need to defend high-octane guards in the Western Conference. In his first few NBA seasons, he’s proven himself as a reliable two-way guard capable of playing on or off the ball. While not a prolific scorer, Dosunmu’s IQ, positional flexibility, and defensive instincts make him a high-upside target who could thrive in a system like the Lakers’, particularly with proper veteran mentorship.
The fact that the Lakers have held preliminary conversations about these players speaks volumes about the direction Rob Pelinka and the front office are hoping to take this offseason. The team’s previous attempts to balance stars with competent role players have produced mixed results. The Russell Westbrook experiment ended in turmoil, and while moves to acquire players like D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura helped in the short term, they didn’t ultimately deliver the kind of defensive edge required to advance deep in the postseason. Acquiring any of Thybulle, Smart, or Dosunmu would address those shortcomings directly.
It’s also worth noting that these inquiries are happening while the Lakers are navigating larger questions about their future. LeBron James opted into his player option and re-signed for two more years, signaling that he’s committed to chasing another title in Los Angeles. But he’ll turn 41 during this contract, and Father Time has a way of forcing urgency. Davis remains in his prime, but even he has shown signs of wear and tear. If the Lakers are to make a real push for banner number 18, the time is now. That’s why adding defensive specialists—players who can elevate the team without demanding heavy usage—is crucial.
The defensive makeup of a team becomes even more vital when considering the landscape of the Western Conference. With explosive guards like Luka Dončić, Jamal Murray, Devin Booker, and Anthony Edwards all in playoff contention, the Lakers must have dependable defenders on the perimeter. Last season’s inability to consistently contain these types of players proved costly. Neither Austin Reaves nor D’Angelo Russell are known for their defense, and while Gabe Vincent was supposed to help in that department, injuries derailed his impact.
That’s where Thybulle’s wingspan, Smart’s toughness, and Dosunmu’s hustle become game-changers. Each offers a different flavor of defense. Thybulle thrives in a help-defense role, often playing passing lanes and creating havoc. Smart is the ultimate on-ball defender, someone who relishes taking on the opponent’s best scorer. Dosunmu sits somewhere in between, offering speed, agility, and switchability. Together, they provide options the Lakers currently lack—and pursuing even one of them could dramatically change the team’s defensive profile.
Financially, the Lakers have some flexibility, though their options will be dictated by the types of deals involved. Thybulle is under contract with Portland, so a trade would need to match salary and make sense for the Blazers, who are rebuilding around Scoot Henderson and other young pieces. Dosunmu, who just signed a team-friendly deal with the Bulls, could be more accessible, especially if Chicago decides to reset its roster. Smart’s situation is the most fluid, as it hinges on whether Memphis buys him out or holds on for trade leverage. If he hits the open market, however, the Lakers will likely need to act fast and offer a compelling role to secure his services.
Beyond the basketball fit, these potential additions signal something deeper about the Lakers’ priorities: culture. Each of these players is known for their work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to defense. The Lakers, for all their glitz and glamour, have occasionally lacked that kind of identity in recent seasons. They’ve been a team that leans heavily on individual brilliance, particularly LeBron’s, rather than a cohesive defensive unit. Bringing in players who take pride in doing the dirty work would go a long way in shifting that dynamic and restoring the kind of grit that once defined L.A.’s championship DNA.
It remains to be seen how aggressive the Lakers will be in pursuing these targets. As of now, everything is still in the early stages—preliminary calls, gauging interest, and assessing market value. But the very fact that these names are being discussed shows that the front office is thinking strategically and proactively. They aren’t just chasing stars; they’re chasing the right pieces to complement the stars they already have.
There is no perfect blueprint for a championship roster, but history shows that defense wins titles. Whether it was the 2000s Lakers with Kobe and Shaq flanked by defenders like Derek Fisher and Rick Fox, or the 2020 bubble team that dominated with defense-first wings and a locked-in AD, the formula always includes players willing to sacrifice offense for the greater good. Thybulle, Smart, and Dosunmu fit that mold. Now it’s a matter of whether the Lakers can make the math—and the deals—work.
As the offseason continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Rob Pelinka and his front office to see whether this early interest turns into concrete action. For now, Lakers fans can at least find reassurance in one thing: their team is hunting for the right pieces, not just the flashiest ones. In a Western Conference loaded with offensive firepower, that may be the smartest strategy of all.
