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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 deals to send Matisse Thybulle to the Dallas Mavericks

By Zach Ciavolella

Mar 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) looks on in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) looks on in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers
May 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) celebrates forward Dorian Finney-Smith (not pictured) making a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter during game four of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: The Sixers land an innings eater and a pick

Last season with the Dallas Mavericks, Maxi Kleber averaged 7.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He had a poor shooting season, but he has shot 35.9% from deep over his career. Even during the previous season, 2020-21, Kleber shot 41% from beyond the arc. It stands to reason that he can reach similar marks again in the future, but if not, he’s on an expiring contract. Kleber is admittedly not the most exciting name, but he would serve two purposes for the Philadelphia 76ers.

First, Kleber would be used as an innings eater of sorts. Yes, the Sixers have P.J. Tucker to solidify the forward/small-ball center role, but he was specifically brought in for the playoffs. The addition of Kleber would allow Doc Rivers and the 76ers to play Tucker sparingly to avoid any unnecessary strain or injury risk.

Second, at an annual salary of $9 million, Kleber’s deal is extremely moveable, so should the team look to add a player around the deadline, they have $9 million of expiring salary to entice another team in addition to any draft capital including the other half of this deal.

The real prize in this deal, though, is the 2025 first rounder which would help Philadelphia restock on ammunition for a future deal, potentially at the 2023 deadline. The pick would be top-10 protected, but as long as Luka Dončić is in Dallas, that shouldn’t be an issue, especially after adding Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz. Where there is a complication is in convincing the Mavericks to remove the protections on their 2023 first currently owned by the New York Knicks.

Working in Philadelphia’s favor regarding this is the fact that the pick is only top 10 protected and would most likely convey this season regardless of any other potential deal. In order for this trade to go through, the Mavericks would have to work out a trade with the Knicks involving the removal of the protections on the 2023 selection, something the Knicks should be motivated to do. If that can be worked out, then a deal could proceed with Philadelphia.