The Los Angeles Lakers invested heavily in the selection of Adou Thiero at the 2025 NBA Draft. Los Angeles made two separate trades to move up and add the former Arkansas Razorbacks star, thus implying that he has a meaningful role to play in the franchise's future.
That could materialize as soon as the 2025-26 season, as Thiero could give the Lakers the answer they need in regard to Rui Hachimura's future.
Thiero is an intriguing prospect on his own, needing no additional context to support his promise as a player. He's a tenaciously competitive defender with elite athletic abilities and the tools to become a lockdown forward in the NBA.
The contract that continues to hang over the Lakers' head, however, is Hachimura's expiring $18,259,259—and the world of possibilities that it creates.
On one end of the conversation is the daunting reality that Hachimura will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 and could command an even more lucrative annual salary. On the other is the captivating world in which Los Angeles could trade the 27-year-old for a considerable return.
That internal debate could become significantly easier to navigate and resolve if Thiero turns in a rookie season that reveals the validity of his potential.
A strong rookie season from Adou Thiero would simplify Rui Hachimura's contract debate
Hachimura deserves endless credit for taking JJ Redick's constructive criticism in stride and turning in a strong 2024-25 campaign. He became exactly what Los Angeles asked him to be: A corner-crashing 3-and-D forward who could attack closeouts and play above the rim.
Hachimura turned that new mentality into averages of 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 offensive boards, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals on .509/.413/.770 shooting.
If Hachimura manages to build upon that success, then it stands to reason that the Lakers will have every reason to re-sign him next summer. A second offseason under Redick, let alone a first preparing to play alongside Luka Doncic, should help the former Gonzaga star take the next step.
In the event that Hachimura finds himself in more of a holding pattern, however, the Lakers will have a long discussion ahead of them—particularly about whether a trade or a new contract would be more ideal.
Thankfully, the Lakers have something of a failsafe on the roster: Thiero. Although by no means a carbon copy, Thiero possesses the upside to play the very role that Los Angeles is hoping Hachimura will successfully occupy over the course of a new contract.
Hachimura is a significantly better shooter, but Thiero's defensive instincts, rebounding, and slashing could offset the difference as he works on his admittedly improving jump shot.
In the event that Thierro shows clear signs of realistic potential during his rookie season, the Lakers would have reason to believe in a second-year leap. That could go a long way toward influencing whether or not Los Angeles trades Hachimura, as well as how it handles the offseason if it opts not to.
It's a heavy burden to place on the shoulders of a rookie who was drafted in the second round, but Thiero has an instant opportunity to define his future in 2025-26.