The Philadelphia 76ers were one of two teams that showed a strong interest in bringing Austin Rivers. The Knicks are second.
Apparently, Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers’ father and coach of the 76ers, persuaded his son to go to New York instead of Philadelphia because he would probably have a better chance of playing and also because of his extraordinary relationship with the former assistant of the team. Boston Celtics, Tom Thibodeau.
Matisse Thybulle is a defensive winger who has proven he can hit 3-ball. Just what the Knicks need today.
Thybulle is struggling a lot this season and I think he has a lot to do with the change of coach.
Under former 76ers manager Brett Brown, Matisse Thybulle was objectively better. While none of his numbers really stand out too much, he has shot around the league average from long range with 2.4 attempts.
Thybulle is certainly a work in progress, and with the new development staff that the Knicks have, I think he could be a very valuable piece to acquire.
This season, his numbers, especially his 3-point shooting rates, are down. This is what makes me believe you can get it for little or nothing as the 76ers are clearly competing at a high level and could use a player like Austin Rivers who has playoff experience instead of him.
Thybulle would bring a defensive intensity that not many Knicks players currently have in their arsenal and fit the timeline of the Knicks roster much better than he does with Philadelphia.