According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the Atlanta Hawks have been confirmed as a “suitor” for the Philadelphia 76ers’ Matisse Thybulle ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The Hawks join Western Conference teams like the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors as teams interested in the two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Teamer.
Matisse Thybulle is one of the Sixers’ best perimeter defenders, and is important to the team’s success, even if he hasn’t been the best offensively. The Atlanta Hawks could be looking into adding more of a defensive presence on the perimeter but what would it take for the two teams to make a deal? Take a look a three mock trades that would send Thybulle to the Hawks:
Sixers add shooting and future assets
Sixers receive:
Justin Holiday
2023 Second Round Pick (CHA or BKN)
2024 Second Round Pick (OKC)
Hawks receive:
Matisse Thybulle
Jaden Springer
In this scenario, the 76ers trade Matisse Thybulle and Jaden Springer for Justin Holiday and two future second-round picks. Holiday is a solid movement shooter with some defensive ability at 6’6 to guard one through three.
The Sixers may be one or two years too late on Holiday, as he has fallen out of rotation in Atlanta. Maybe a change of scenario and a better system would do some good to help him perform better.
He is the perfect type of quick trigger, floor spacer that this team needs around Joel Embiid and James Harden. They also pick up some future second-round picks which would most likely land in the earlier part of the second round of the NBA Draft. They could also try to flip those picks for a late first-round draft pick to use in a deal down the line.
Sixers knock it out the park
Sixers receive:
Justin Holiday
Onyeka Okungwu
Hawks receive:
Matisse Thybulle
Furkan Korkmaz
Montrezl Harrell
2023 Second Round Pick (CHA)
2027 Second Round Pick
If the Sixers were somehow able to pry backup center Onyeka Okungwu along with Justin Holiday, it would be an absolute win at the trade deadline. Okungwu is well-liked in Atlanta, with some saying they prefer him starting over veteran Clint Capela.
The former USC Trojan is just the type of player the Sixers would need on their roster to back up Joel Embiid. He is a rim protector, super athletic, and a solid finisher. He is averaging 9.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg and would slot right in as the perfect pick-and-roll partner with James Harden, while Embiid is on the bench. He is a lob threat that Harden could really take advantage of driving to the rim. It may take more assets for a trade like this to take place but if the Sixers could make it happen, they need to because every year it is the same issue.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
