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One of the more fluid situations in the entire NBA, the possible talks (or not talks) between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have taken on a life of their own. The industry's most credible reports have suggested there are not serious trade talks happening between the two teams. But when there's this much smoke could there really be no fire? We have heard a couple bits and pieces about a certain Sixers youngster whose name has come up recently.
Could this player's inclusion swing a blockbuster deal?
Wednesday brought us this report from Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer:
“Multiple league sources have said that [Matisse] Thybulle’s name has been mentioned as part of a potential deal for James Harden ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline.
One source said Seth Curry and a first-round pick have been mentioned along with Thybulle. A person close the Sixers disputed the package centered around Simmons for Harden.”
And Pompey wasn't the only one to name the 2021 All-Defensive Second team member.
Per SNY's Ian Begley, reporting earlier:
“One thing is clear: The teams have touched base this week through intermediaries and, entering the week, Philadelphia had been considering a package to the Nets that included sizable draft compensation and elite wing defender Matisse Thybulle, per SNY sources.”
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1454605318160220170?s=20&t=bmj1XXv_DnS15t-lTbR0qA
For what it's worth, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, the reporter who initially broke the story citing specific reasons James Harden may want a change of scenery, has said the two teams haven't had serious talks yet. This report below dropped Monday, and Fischer has yet to update his stance, and until that happens, it's hard to assign these highly specific trade proposals a ton of weight:
There have been zero trade discussions between the Sixers and Nets regarding James Harden, sources said. And while there are figures in Brooklyn who are open to a Harden for Ben Simmons swap, that concept won’t be entertained by Nets brass before Thursday: https://t.co/e5Ew69Zdx3
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 7, 2022
On top of that ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski's own reports sound like Fischer's. As recently as Wednesday afternoon, all just one day before the Feb. 10 trade deadline, here's what Woj said:
“Right now, there's no negotiation going on between Philadelphia and Brooklyn…The idea that they are going back and forth that's been surmised by some, I don't believe that to be accurate.”
So we can take everything with a grain of salt.
But hypothetically, Sixers wing Matisse Thybulle is certainly a player the Nets could use. Through about the first month of the season the Nets were one of the NBA's top defensive units. That surprise trend helped shape the team's identity early on, but since their COVID disruption, in Dec. things flew off the rails. Over the last few weeks, spanning their 9 game losing streak, they haven't been able to stop anyone. A 24-year-old who can do things like this would be pretty helpful:
Matisse Thybulle is now the first player ever to have blocked 2 Steph Curry 3-point attempts in the same game @ESPNStatsInfo
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) December 12, 2021
Thybulle and Ben Simmons would give a team spearheaded by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, a major influx of defensive energy. Simmons was the runner-up Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and in the playoffs, his versatility on the wing made him one of the most valuable on-ball stoppers in the NBA.
The Sixers' defense was key in their win against the Nets, and Ben Simmons was a big part of it.
He also did a good job guarding James Harden on and off the ball in the 2nd half (Harden only attempted 1 shot against Simmons). pic.twitter.com/C0zVb2IjHJ
— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) February 10, 2021
Still, based on how much the Nets have missed Joe Harris during his absence, based on reports Joey Buckets may not get back to 100 percent this season, it makes more sense Kevin Durant and co. might prefer Sixers sharp-shooter Seth Curry. As far as we know, Nets GM Sean Marks may be trying to get both Curry and Thybulle.
Seth Curry with the step-back to beat the buzzer 💦pic.twitter.com/c1G7yvH4PC
— Sixers Nation (@SixersNationCP) February 5, 2022
There have been plenty of reports indicating that the Sixers wouldn't include Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle. And as we noted, there are reports these “conversations” aren't even taking place. It seems more likely Philly would deem Maxey untouchable. But the untouchable phrase is harder to buy when it's said about Thybulle, who hasn't figured out his jump shot yet.
But if talks heat up in the next 23 hours or so, keep an eye on Thybulle as one Sixers youngster who could swing this deal one way or the other. If the Nets wanted Thybulle, whose on a cost-controlled salary, would Daryl Morey really draw a hard line? If he did, could that derail a broader deal both sides want? Or would it come down to draft capital instead?
The only thing clear is that Thybulle doesn't offer the Nets much in the way of floor spacing but he would instantly be their best on-ball stopper. And if your ultimate goal is to slow down a Jrue Holiday, a Jimmy Butler, a Devin Booker, a Chris Paul or even a James Harden… maybe that's a must-have, not just a sweetener.
