The Los Angeles Lakers have unclaimed forward minutes heading into training camp, but Adou Thiero just isn’t ready to be part of the nightly rotation. The purple and gold tried to sign Jonathan Kuminga to be their starting power forward, but he decided to join the rival Minnesota Timberwolves. It is not just the starting role, but all 48 minutes that figure to be up for grabs during training camp.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, and Thiero all figure to be in the mix for minutes with no clear frontrunner. Mamu is the highest-paid, but is best in a sixth-man role where he dominates second units. Lakers fans know LaRavia and Vando aren’t starters on a title contender. Thybulle’s injury history likely prevents him from opening games, and Ziaire only started 13 of 56 games last season for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets. The minutes are wide open, but Thiero isn’t ready to grab them.
The 6’7 forward played just 149 minutes as a rookie. He was limited by injuries, but his lack of an offensive game is more concerning. Fans saw flashes during the playoffs and summer league. The Lakers should be developing Thiero, but the 22-year-old isn’t ready to play every night for a contender.
Adou Thiero’s offense is a problem for the Lakers
The 6’7 forward is a stout and versatile defender, but lacks a plus offensive skill to keep him on the court. He took just three 3-point attempts in 25 NBA games as a rookie and shot two of 14 over seven summer league games. Thiero is not a playmaker, shot creator, or floor spacer, which makes it virtually impossible to play him every night.
Vanderbilt has the same problem. They are both plus defenders, but their lack of shooting makes it difficult to keep them on the floor. Thiero needs a plus offensive skill to jump into the rotation. Shooting would be ideal, but even growing as a shot creator would give him a chance.
The Lakers had an abysmal negative 11.0 net rating with Thiero on the floor, and he produced a negative value over replacement player (VORP), thanks in large part to a negative 4.2 offensive box plus-minus. Thiero isn’t ready to impact winning every night.
Adou Thiero needs time in the G League to keep improving
The 22-year-old is entering his second NBA season. He still has room to grow and time to make it happen. Thiero played just ten G League games and averaged only 22.5 minutes in those contests. The Lakers need to give him more run in the developmental league this season.
Thiero should be working hard to improve his jumper and find an offensive role. That only happens with game reps. The Lakers want to be in title contention, and every win matters as they fight for home-court advantage in the playoffs. They can’t play Thiero significant minutes to develop his game. That is exactly what the G League is for.
Thiero should dominate the lesser competition, but that is a positive. Confidence is a crucial part of growing his offensive game. The Lakers should embrace this and let him grow into organic opportunities, not forced ones.
Lakers should give Adou Thiero opportunities when injuries alter the rotation
Thiero is far from his ideal scenario, but the Lakers will need someone to step up when injuries arise. They should turn to Thiero for 15 minutes off the bench when a forward misses time. If Luka Doncic is out, the second-year forward should get a handful of minutes with a specific role laid out to him.
Young players need minutes to grow their games. Thiero isn’t ready to be in the nightly rotation, but he can handle a role when the Lakers need someone to eat minutes. Fans saw him show flashes against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs when given a shot. It wasn’t otherworldly production, but the young talent played a handful of quality minutes. Fans just want to see more of that when a need arises.
The Los Angeles Lakers have forward minutes open for Adou Thiero entering training camp, but the 22-year-old isn’t ready to fill them. He should be out of the rotation and getting plenty of minutes in the G League at the start of this season.
It is on Thiero to change that. He isn’t ready now, but could grow into a larger role. The 6’7 forward has to do the work and earn the shot. It is there for the taking, but it will only happen when he’s ready. Thiero just needs more time.
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