Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

But, how often have you verified this with your eyeballs? I don't mean to be antagonistic, but the stats just don't reconcile (for me) the disconnect between this opinion and how it appears he is not coveted around the league. 

You might be right, and if the Mavs can get him, I hope you are! 

I'm just looking for more context on WHY the Mavs seem to be the one team that's always trying to get this dude. It just feels like if he were this good, he'd be involved in more discussions.

No you're not being antagonistic at all. I'm glad you asked. This past year I watched 10 1/2 Portland games. You can go and search the board about my offhand comments of me watching throughout the season.. I've also gone back and only watched the minutes where Thybulle was on the court 3 times, but I don't count that as a full game.

He is that level of defender. But I truly believe he is so undervalued because of his total lack of offensive game. It's really hard to hide Thybulle on that end of the court if you don't have the right guys. There were times when I watched last season where it felt like  Portland was playing 4 on 5 on that side of the court, because Thybulle just sat in the corner, never moved, and never touched the ball. 

But that doesn't really concern me when it comes to Dallas. Just like with DJJ where he finally found a team that could hide his offensive deficiencies and excel his strengths, I think Luka and Kyrie are enough of an offensive powerhouse that whatever lack of self creation/ability to score Thybulle doesn't have is minimized. Most teams (basically all?) can't provide the same offensive hubs that Dallas currently has. That's why Thybulle is a niche guy. But he provides a level of defense that dwarfs anyone we have on the roster currently. 

I also remember his 2nd year in Philly, when Ben Simmons wasn't a complete nothing, they had Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Joel was ramping up to an MVP candidate. Thybulle played the most minutes in Philly that season and no one argued that it was a bad idea. Because that team had enough offensive weapons to hide him. 

I don't think he's the end all be all answer for our needs this summer. But as a replacement for Green (who is a better offensive player for sure) he more than makes up for whatever scoring in defense.