Adou Thiero already understands the next phase of his Lakers development

Adou Thiero is a freak athlete — that is a notion which has followed the young Los Angeles Lakers forward throughout college and his rookie season. Really, it has probably been something true of him for the majority of his playing days, period. Being a good NBA pro is not just all about athleticism, though. Thankfully, the soon-to-be second-year forward understands as much.

Thiero told reporters before the Lakers' first game at Las Vegas Summer League: "Now I got to understand when to use my athleticism, and when to play it off too, and play a little bit more slow. That’s what I’m just figuring out and getting those reps on everything.”

The Lakers forward contrasted the NCAA and NBA level, and how there is much more room to take advantage of athleticism in college. The pro level, meanwhile, is filled with either high-caliber athletes or high IQ players who require more out of any given individual.

Learning how to use his athleticism under control really is the next step for Thiero. There are few doubts that most courts he steps on will still feature him as the most bouncy and explosive player. Sometimes that can work against you, and the young Laker is trying to change that.

Adou Thiero needs to blend his athleticism with an element of control

Anyone watching the summer league games will have seen plenty of plays where there is simply no doubt about who the best athlete is on the floor. Thiero has that on lock. That has not immediately translated to positive plays for Adou.

The adjustments needed from Thiero here are not small. This is a guy who thrived in his final year at the NCAA level by playing bully ball and bulldozing his way to the rim for buckets. It got him 15.1 points per game on 54.5 percent shooting from the field at Arkansas as a junior. The NBA requires a more polished approach.

There will always be room to still capitalize on that athleticism and use it as a tool for success. That will be even easier when guys like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out there with him to help facilitate scoring opportunities.

In the meantime, it is on Adou to use summer league as a stage to prepare himself for the main roster. The Lakers need quality forward minutes. They are not exactly flooded with strong options at those positions. That gives Thiero an opening to see the floor in 2026-27.

JJ Redick will have a hard time trusting him for those minutes without summer league coach Ty Abbott giving him an encouraging message about the developments in Adou's game. Thiero knows what needs to be done. It is a matter of getting that practice, maximizing those reps, and finding that healthy balance between athleticism and control.

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