Adou Thiero earned a promotion over polarizing Lakers vet with summer league surge

It was hard not to be impressed by Adou Thiero when watching him play for the Los Angeles Lakers at the Las Vegas Summer League this year. The sophomore forward shined more than enough to make Jarred Vanderbilt uneasy in his seat. Thiero delivered an undeniable case to usurp him for minutes.

Thiero already briefly got briefly featured over more proven players like Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The summer league action presented even more reason for JJ Redick to seriously consider making that a permanent arrangement in the Lakers rotation.

Vanderbilt is a figure many will find themselves divided on. On one hand, there are still moments where his defense and effort will shine enough to make him playable. On the other hand, his offense is so downright wasteful sometimes that it makes keeping him on the floor a tough sell.

Thiero still has work to do for his on-court skills to catch up to his otherworldly athleticism. However, the latter already made him a defensive standout in summer league this year. If that kind of ability to make plays on the back end translates to training camp with the Lakers, Redick should not think twice about who the forward off the bench is when the season arrives.

Adou Thiero should be ahead of Jarred Vanderbilt on the Lakers depth chart

There is still a shot that Vanderbilt gets sent out of town in a sign-and-trade that lands Jonathan Kuminga in Los Angeles. If that does not happen, and Vando is indeed competition on the depth chart for Thiero, the latter should be slotted higher. The reasoning here is simple.

Vanderbilt's standout traits, as spoken to earlier, are his defense and effort. Thiero does not lack in those department in the slightest. It is why Redick gambled on giving him some running time against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2026 postseason, and it continued to be on display in Vegas.

Lakers writer Iztok Franko reaffirmed that thought after the team's semifinal game against the Golden State Warriors: "The best part was Thiero's defensive playmaking last night. So many plays where he got his hands on the ball. It's what will/could get him minutes on the main squad."

If Thiero is already matching similar production to what Vanderbilt can do on defense, then it becomes a question of offense. On that end, the Lakers veteran has provided very little to make his case for sustained playing time.

Thiero, himself, might still be a work in progress on offense, but Vanderbilt is a project that never developed. The second-year forward will at least give the Lakers a fresh breath of air, and a player who will remain active in searching for opportunities on that end. At the very least, there is a clear lob threat on the court for the playmakers in Los Angeles with their athletic young prospect.

The upside play is obvious, too. One of the best ways to help Thiero grow as an offensive player will be by giving him those minutes to get comfortable with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

If Vanderbilt is still on the Lakers roster by training camp, there should be no competition between him and Thiero for forward minutes. The younger of the two offers a much clearer case for a spot in the rotation.

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