The Sacramento Kings have their eyes set on Matisse Thybulle. Sources advised league insider Marc Stein that the Kings are “monitoring the availability” of the Philadelphia 76ers wingman, as they’re in search of a further defensive cog on the perimeter.

“Sacramento is said to be monitoring the availability of Philadelphia’s Matisse Thybulle as the Kings, unexpectedly holding the West’s No. 3 seed after a league-record 16 consecutive seasons out of the playoffs, ponder the pursuit of a more defensive-minded option on the perimeter.”

Sacramento, who surprisingly blazed its means atop the Western Conference higher echelon with a 28-21 document, imposes top-notch offensive firepower. They are at the moment boasting the league’s finest factors per recreation common (119.5), whereas ranked second in offensive score (117.9) and sitting third in subject purpose capturing effectivity (49.3%).

But amid these skyrocketing numbers, they want such enchancment on the opposite facet. They are solely positioned on the twentieth of staff rankings in defensive score (114.9) whereas being lowly in steals common at twenty first (6.8) and blocks per contest that’s second to final (3.3).

Having Thybulle, who’s a famend defensive pest on the perimeter, could do wonders for the Kings as they search a lot depth and elevation of those defensive numbers beneath head coach Mike Brown – a notable defense-first mentor. The two-time All-Defensive Second Team member can cowl their weak point within the protection division as they’re slated to probably snap their 16-year postseason drought, enter the grinding playoff stage and face daunting offensive opposition within the West bracket.

Thybulle’s statistics have dipped this season with the Sixers, as he tallies a career-low 12.1 minutes common in 45 video games performed. As such, he’s a sound candidate to be checked out on the facet of Philly forward of the Feb. 9 commerce deadline, with him set to enter restricted free company subsequent offseason.