Adou Thiero confirms what Lakers fans have known since the playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly put Adou Thiero in the playoff rotation against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and summer league further proved why the franchise is invested in development. The 6’7 wing is an elite athlete who looked ready for a larger role in his second NBA season. Second-round draft picks are far from a guarantee to turn into a key piece, but Thiero is on his way. Summer league proved exactly why the Lakers believe better days are ahead.

The 22-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 steals in 25.5 minutes per game over seven summer league games split between the California Classic and Las Vegas. The monster dunks and defense hyped fans. Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr led the Lakers to the semifinals in Vegas before falling to the Golden State Warriors. Fans left the event even more certain LA made the right choice in trading up to draft Thiero and Carr.

There is still room to grow for both players. Thiero knows what he has to work on, and fans know he will put in the work. It was great to see him healthy and making an impact on both ends of the floor in summer league. The Lakers are invested in his development and believe he is a future rotation piece around Luka Doncic. Thiero only further proved the purple and gold right this summer.

The Lakers believe in Adou Thiero’s future

Injuries have been a problem. The 6’7 wing suffered a knee injury in college and was limited during his rookie season. It made for a slow start to his NBA career, but the Lakers put the rookie in the playoff rotation against the defending champions over veterans Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt. Fans saw why in summer league.

The Lakers lacked athleticism last season. Rob Pelinka and the front office added more in free agency, and playing Thiero more would help. Fans saw his insane athleticism multiple times in Vegas.

The 36th pick in the draft is no guarantee to play in one NBA game, especially in the NIL era. The Lakers wisely traded up to nab Thiero. There were questions after his three college seasons, but LA bet on his athleticism, growth, and size. There are no regrets.

Thiero has to improve his jumper, but his screen setting, cutting, and lob catching in Vegas should be noted. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could run pick-and-rolls with Thiero screening and find him for easy buckets at the rim.

Thiero only played six minutes per game in the second round of the playoffs, but fans saw Thiero’s potential. It was on further display in summer league. He was playing a much larger role than he will next season with the Lakers. LA wants to contend for the championship and needs quality minutes from bench players. Thiero is still trying to use his athleticism to maximize his production.

The Los Angeles Lakers are committed to developing Adou Thiero, and fans found out exactly why during summer league. The 6’7 wing showcased his growth and potential. LA has an athletic forward with the ideal frame. He looks ready for a larger role and needs reps to develop. Expect more from Thiero in year two. The Lakers want him to become a key rotation piece, and Thiero just proved he is well on the way to getting there.

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