Clichés are overdone in their usage by nature. That does not mean there is no truth to be found in them. Adou Thiero mentioned one at Los Angeles Lakers Media Day that could not be more applicable to his case.
Thiero played 31 games with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025-26. That included 6.0 minutes per game during his 25 regular season outings, and 5.7 minutes a night in his six playoff appearances. The short version: the former rookie forward was largely an on-court afterthought.
There is an understandable expectancy for that to change in his sophomore campaign. For one, the Lakers have an opening among the forward minutes that Thiero can seize. To go with that, JJ Redick has expressed his desire to play deeper rotations. Furthermore, Redick also gave a glowing endorsement of Adou's developmental growth at the start-of-season press conference.
Once more, the short version: there is real momentum for Thiero to earn a rotation role. None of that happens if the athletic forward fails to follow through on the biggest lesson he learned during his rookie season with the Lakers.
"Availability is the best ability. So, just taking care of my body because there's no opportunity without availability."
Adou Thiero must deliver on his desire to stay available for the Lakers
It sounds simple, right? Unfortunately for Thiero, it has been anything but to start his NBA career.
Adou got off to a slow start with the Lakers because he was arriving on the heels of offseason knee surgery in 2025. That dealt an early blow to his chances of breaking through in the rotation last season. He was stuck playing catch-up and he never quite managed to win that game.
There were a few instances of in-season ailments plaguing him, too. Eventually that equated to limited opportunity throughout the campaign as a whole, whether it was Los Angeles or South Bay.
A clear understanding of how his athleticism works against him here does exist. Thiero has discussed as much, mentioning those same gifts that make him special also put him in harm's way sometimes.
This all falls under something the former Arkansas forward has been saying since Las Vegas Summer League. Thiero wants to better understand how to maximize his athleticism to work for him. There will be times when that means not overdoing it and slowing down.
JJ Redick was asked by @KamBrothers what type of mistakes are acceptable for young players like Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr if they are going to get opportunities in the rotation: pic.twitter.com/EXNW95zKgn
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) October 1, 2026
Redick said the opportunities for both Thiero and Cameron Carr will be there in 2026-27. Looping back to the original statement made by the second-year forward, you have to be around and available to receive them.
Thiero's motor, defense, athleticism, and play-finishing ability should all give him a chance to shine in bursts beside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The mistakes will be inevitable, but that is how you learn and grow.
The only real folly would be to remove yourself from the running. If nothing else, there is clear intent for Thiero to not let that happen this season.
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