Jonathan Kuminga decided the starting spot with the Minnesota Timberwolves suited him better for the upcoming season. That could ultimately create a training camp battle for the position he left open on the Los Angeles Lakers. That might be the opportunity Adou Thiero needs.
There are still ways the Lakers can trade for a fifth starter in Los Angeles. At this point of the offseason, though, they may just be content to cut someone loose from the 16 players currently on the roster and bank on one of their internal candidates to seize the starting job.
Thiero emerging as capable of roughly 20 minutes a night as a starter would be the best-case scenario for the Lakers. It would also be a desirable outcome for him after pretty much writing off his rookie season due to untimely injuries. The young forward can find real playing time.
Whether or not Thiero starts, the opportunity to see the court much more often than his rookie season should be readily available with Kuminga's decision to join the Timberwolves. The Lakers' second-year man could have been clawing for back-end rotation minutes if the free agent forward arrived in Los Angeles. Instead, he is now positioned perfectly to earn a permanent role.
Adou Thiero's rotation spot is more secure without Jonathan Kuminga
Without Kuminga, it will be intriguing to see what approach JJ Redick takes with the open starting spot. It took a while last season before the Lakers coach settled on his preferred starting lineup. There could be a similar story in this upcoming campaign if the options remain what they are.
That opportunity and prolonged decision-making process is exactly what Thiero needs to have a fair shot at seizing the opening. There is still a lot of uncontrolled athleticism to his game. That will inevitably get him glued to the bench by Redick a handful of times.
However, with a lack of clear options who would be mightily superior to Thiero, any of those benching decision should be short-term. There will be second, third, and likely even fourth chances at redemption if the forward group remains what it is.
Growing pains should be an inevitability for Thiero. His opportunity to play in 2025-26 largely came at the G League level. By the time he was suiting up during this year's Summer League, it was clear just how much more work there is to be done for him to maximize his athletic gifts.
Getting on-court reps with the main roster will be a great opportunity for growth. A wild ride in the early parts of the 2026-27 season could amount to sustained success by the end of it. Without Kuminga, all of that is so much more attainable for Thiero in this coming campaign.
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