REPORT: Lakers Exploring Blockbuster Defensive Overhaul — Eyeing Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart, Ayo Dosunmu to Reinforce Perimeter Wall
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the hunt again. After an offseason that’s already left fans scratching their heads and rival front offices smirking, the storied franchise appears to be shifting focus. Not toward splashy offensive signings or high-risk, high-reward scorers—but to something far more foundational: defense.
According to multiple sources close to the situation, the Lakers are showing “preliminary interest” in three well-regarded defensive specialists—Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart, and Ayo Dosunmu. The conversations are said to be exploratory in nature, as the Lakers probe opposing teams on player availability and potential trade costs.
No official offers have been submitted. Yet. But these early rumblings suggest the Lakers’ front office understands the glaring issues that haunted them during last season’s campaign—issues that reappeared during their brief playoff stint. It’s a sobering realization: if the Lakers are going to contend in the Western Conference, they need dogs on the perimeter. They need to defend like a team that means business.
And these three names? They each bring something the Lakers sorely need.
Matisse Thybulle: The Defensive Disruptor
Thybulle has long been one of the NBA’s most underrated perimeter defenders. Though his offensive skill set remains raw and inconsistent, his ability to blow up passing lanes, jump screens, and guard elite wings makes him a unique asset.
Thybulle, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, is coming off a quietly solid season where he averaged 1.7 steals per game and helped anchor a Blazers defense that, when he was on the court, looked significantly more competent. For the Lakers, who were torched on the wings far too often last season, Thybulle could be a perfect low-usage, high-impact glue guy.
His availability hinges on what Portland wants to do next. If they’re leaning toward rebuilding around Scoot Henderson and their young core, Thybulle could be attainable for a couple of second-round picks or a young prospect with upside. That would be a low-cost, high-value move for a Lakers team desperate for defensive stability.
Ayo Dosunmu: The Two-Way Spark Plug
Don’t let the quiet demeanor fool you—Ayo Dosunmu plays like his hair’s on fire. The 6-foot-5 guard out of Illinois has carved out a reputation as a relentless perimeter defender with the ability to finish through contact and run the offense in spurts.
Dosunmu spent last season with the Chicago Bulls, where his minutes fluctuated but his impact was undeniable. In games where he started and played 30+ minutes, the Bulls were far more engaged defensively—and Dosunmu often took the challenge of guarding the opposing team’s best backcourt threat.
At just 24, Dosunmu also fits the rare Lakers timeline that balances the presence of veterans like LeBron James and Anthony Davis with a youth movement led by Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
Sources indicate that the Bulls aren’t actively shopping Dosunmu but would be open to talks if the Lakers present an offer that includes future assets or a player like Jalen Hood-Schifino or Max Christie. The Lakers would have to decide if they’re willing to part with upside for proven tenacity.
Marcus Smart: The Grit-and-Grind Architect
Of the three names, Smart is the most decorated—and the most complicated. A 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and spiritual leader of the Boston Celtics for years, Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies last season as part of the Kristaps Porziņģis deal.
In Memphis, he struggled with injuries and never fully settled in. With Ja Morant returning to reclaim the lead guard spot, there’s chatter that Smart could be bought out if a trade market doesn’t materialize.
This is where the Lakers’ interest becomes even more intriguing.
They’re reportedly among a handful of contenders closely monitoring Smart’s status. If he’s bought out and hits free agency, the Lakers would pounce—and Smart could provide what they’ve lacked since the Alex Caruso era: an edge.
He’s not just a defender. He’s a tone-setter. A communicator. The guy who takes the charge, barks at his teammates, and elevates the locker room’s urgency. He’s championship fabric, plain and simple.
But acquiring him via trade might be too pricey. Memphis would likely want a first-round pick or a key rotation piece, and the Lakers are notoriously stingy when it comes to relinquishing future assets. If Smart does become a free agent, expect the Lakers to be one of the first teams on the phone.
The Bigger Picture
So why the shift?
Why are the Lakers pivoting toward defense instead of doubling down on scoring?
The answer lies in the way their season ended. Despite having LeBron James and Anthony Davis healthy, they were exposed on the perimeter against quicker, deeper teams. D’Angelo Russell, though effective offensively, was routinely hunted. Reaves, while a hustle guy, isn’t a lockdown defender. And their frontcourt lacked any true enforcer beyond Davis.
It became clear—painfully clear—that unless the Lakers could defend at a championship level, even their superstars wouldn’t be enough to close the gap in a loaded West.
Adding a trio of elite or emerging defenders like Thybulle, Dosunmu, and Smart would dramatically change that equation. Suddenly, they’d have the personnel to slow down Jamal Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Booker, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a playoff series. They’d be able to blitz ball-handlers, switch more aggressively, and trust that the point-of-attack was no longer a soft spot.
In short, they’d become a real problem.
LeBron’s Timeline, Rob Pelinka’s Dilemma
Of course, all of this is happening under the ticking clock of LeBron James’ championship window. He’s now entering his 22nd season, having signed a new two-year deal with the team, and there’s an understanding that every move—every conversation—must be made with urgency.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ GM and decision-maker, has to strike a difficult balance. He needs to preserve the franchise’s long-term health while still chasing banners while LeBron is still playing at an elite level. That’s no easy task.
Going after defensive assets like Thybulle, Smart, and Dosunmu could thread that needle perfectly. None of them require high-usage roles. None of them need the ball to make an impact. And all of them could seamlessly integrate with whatever rotations new head coach JJ Redick decides to roll out.
Expect the Lakers to continue having these “preliminary” conversations over the next few weeks. Much depends on what Memphis does with Marcus Smart. If he’s bought out, things could move quickly.
In the meantime, Dosunmu and Thybulle are more straightforward trade targets, and the Lakers’ front office is believed to be internally evaluating what packages they’re comfortable parting with.
Fans may not be jumping out of their seats for news about defensive-minded guards—but if the Lakers land even one of these three, don’t be surprised if the entire tone of the team shifts.
LeBron and AD have the offense. Redick will bring the modern spacing and pace. But it’s defense—relentless, nasty, unified defense—that will decide whether this Lakers squad is an early exit or a real threat.
And if you suddenly find yourself watching a team led by Marcus Smart barking orders, Matisse Thybulle swatting passes, and Ayo Dosunmu picking pockets… well, you just might be witnessing the return of Lakers basketball built on grit, grind, and gold.
