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Talk about deja vu. Two years after the Philadelphia 76ers swung a trade with the Boston Celtics to move up and draft a player from the University of Washington...the Sixers swung a trade with the Celtics to move up and draft a player from the University of Washington.
Boston is selecting Mattise Thybulle at No. 20 -- and possibly trading him to the Sixers, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
Deal is agreed on -- and Sixers will send Boston Nos. 24 and 33 in this draft, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/XM7bHrkNH7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2019
What a wild minute. Huskies senior Mattise Thybulle becomes the newest member of the Sixers, as Elton Brand and the front office decided the first of their second-round picks was an acceptable price to move up four spots and ensure Thybulle came to Philadelphia. Rumored to be a Sixers target, it turns out that Philadelphia had actually been the team to offer a first-round promise to Thybulle.
Wow. The Sixers had promised Matisse Thybulle with the no. 24 pick. It shows how badly Philly wanted Thybulle to give this up: He's a potential perfect fit as a multi-positional defender who blends in on offense next to Ben and Joel. https://t.co/65FZ2BYzf7
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 21, 2019
While some people may wish the Sixers had grabbed a sliding Brandon Clarke, who went one pick later at 21st overall, Thybulle is undoubtedly a good fit in Philadelphia. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year will be able to make an impact on the defensive end from Day One, and he and Zhaire Smith could form a formidable shutdown pairing off the bench.
We’ll have much more analysis on Thybulle to come. For now, you can re-read Brian Murphy’s prospect breakdown on the defensive dynamo.