Who says money cannot buy happiness? The Los Angeles Lakers used 'cash' to move up not once, but twice in the 2025 NBA Draft. They did so in the interest of helping JJ Redick fulfill his promise on player development.
The Lakers sent No. 45 and cash to the Timberwolves, sources said. https://t.co/g9zjPtCNSt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025
The Lakers traded pick 55 plus cash to the Chicago Bulls, moving up to 45. Then, they threw around some more dollars to get the Minnesota Timberwolves to surrender the 36th selection. The Lakers used that pick to draft Adou Thiero out of Arkansas.
Thiero should give Redick an opportunity to deliver on what the Lakers coach promised upon arrival to the franchise. If the soon-to-be rookie can fix one lackluster area of his current game, Thiero will be a valuable rotational piece for many years in Los Angeles.
Development of Thiero's shooting will dictate the genius of the pick
One of the biggest holes that needed to be addressed for the Lakers this offseason was the lackluster defense on the perimeter. Thiero is certainly the man for that.
The Arkansas forward is a tremendous athlete. Thiero brings excellent size, quickness, strength, you name it, to the defensive end. This is the kind of switchable defender that the Lakers have been begging for.
The junior forward also managed to bully his way to the basket on the offensive end this past season. Thiero averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting 54.5 percent from the field.
The biggest swing factor in his effectiveness at the NBA level will be his 3-point shooting. Thiero only averaged 25.6 percent on 1.6 attempts per game from distance in 2024-25.
This is where Redick comes in. When the Lakers coach arrived in Los Angeles, the former NBA sharpshooter preached how important it would be to create an environment where players can grow.
Redick said, "Our goal from day one is about fostering a high-performing environment of player development and team alignment through relentless work, daily collaboration and innovation. ... My staff and I are committed to doing everything we need to do to ensure success at the highest level."
This is the opportunity for the soon-to-be sophomore coach to put his money where his mouth is. Thiero is a consistent 3-point shot away from being an elite 3-and-d option in the NBA.
A fair, and slightly idealistic, best-case scenario for him would be somebody like OG Anunoby. If that is the player Redick can mold Thiero into, this pick will be talked about for years in its genius.