76ers looking to trade Thybulle, first-round draft pick

Is Matisse Thybulle on his way out of Philadelphia? Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

76ers reportedly looking to trade Matisse Thybulle, first-round draft pick

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/22/22

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to make a splash during the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday night and trade one of their best defensive players, plus a first-round pick, according to multiple reports.

Sixers are looking for a trade partner to deal Matisse Thybulle and the 23rd pick in the draft Thursday night, according to @wojespn @PompeyOnSixers

Sixers are hoping to sign PJ Tucker to a 3 year $30 million deal when free agency starts, according to @PompeyOnSixers pic.twitter.com/J1VXqVI4l4
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 22, 2022

Selected 20th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2019 draft, Thybulle was traded to the Sixers one day later and immediately showcased his strong on-ball and perimeter defensive skills as a rookie. Thybulle finished his first season in the league ranked 15th in steals (94) and 17th in steals per game (1.4), despite only earning 19.8 minutes per contest.

While his scoring and shooting numbers dropped during the 2020-2021 campaign, the 25-year-old upped his defensive effort even further by finishing third in steals (105), sixth in steals per game (1.6) and earning Second Team All-Defensive honors. Thybulle was named Second Team All-Defense again in 2021-2022 after leading the NBA in steal percentage (3.4) and he set career highs on offense as well in points per contest (5.7) and field goal percentage (.500).

The Washington product's numbers dipped in the postseason, though, and he was unavailable for road games in the opening round against the Toronto Raptors due to this COVID-19 vaccination status. It was reported last week that Philadelphia was looking for suitors for players like Thybulle, Tobias Harris, Furkan Korkmaz, Shake Milton and Danny Green, as well as their first-round pick.

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