76ers' Matisse Thybulle Addresses Recent Trade Rumors

Matisse Thybulle has been linked to a couple of teams in the NBA's rumor mill as a potential trade target.

With the trade deadline approaching quickly, the Philadelphia 76ers only have a week left to make a move in the market. Unlike last season, the Sixers aren’t linked to any potential blockbuster deals. However, their former first-round pick Matisse Thybulle has been a name consistently in the rumor mill over the last two days.

Following Philadelphia’s Monday night loss against the Orlando Magic, Thybulle was mentioned as a possible target for the Sacramento Kings. According to reporter Marc Stein, the Kings are reportedly “monitoring the availability” of Thybulle ahead of the deadline as they want to improve defensively.

Two days later, another Western Conference contender was linked to the Sixers wing, as the Golden State Warriors have reportedly had “internal discussions” about Thybulle as they like him as a defensive stopper, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

It’s currently unclear where the Sixers stand on a potential Thybulle trade, but it’s necessary to note that this isn’t the first time Thybulle’s heard his name in trade rumors. Over the last two seasons, Thybulle’s been mentioned as a potential trade chip from Philadelphia, which is something that affected him before.

“I let it bother me a lot in the past,” Thybulle admitted. 

However, with experience of seeing his name in trade rumors over the last two years, Thybulle mentioned that he’s more prepared for all of the rumors this time around.

“I think it helps to know it's like it's not my first rodeo,” Thybulle continued. “Every single year, it's kind of like the same situation. It’s like, ‘You’re gonna get traded!’ Until like the very last minute, you don’t. I've gotten all the way there until it actually happens.”

Thybulle also went on to explain that his family has had to adapt to hearing all the rumors as well.

“At this point, I kind of know the ropes, and it helps that my family does as well,” he added. “Because that's one thing that people don't realize is like, you can protect yourself from the stuff, but when you have your grandma or your dad or your brother, calling like, ‘Yo, are you getting traded? Like, that's a lot of stress. So now that we've all been through it three years in a row, they know not. Whatever rumors they see are just rumors, and I'll tell them if anything's gonna happen.”

With Thybulle and the Sixers failing to get an extension done in the offseason, the veteran is set to become a free agent for the first time in his career this summer. Perhaps, the idea of losing Thybulle to another team for nothing forces Philly’s hand to get a deal done ahead of the deadline.

However, Thybulle remains unsure about his future and is staying positive in the process. Over the next week, Thybulle will be a name that teams will pay close attention to, as it seems his market is heating up.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.