Lakers Aim to Boost Wing Depth with Promising Rookie…
The Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed wing depth this offseason, like a chef needs salt while making food on Mars. They signed Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart to fill the void left by Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure. The Lakers also snagged Adou Thiero from Arkansas in the second round with the 36th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Thiero displayed great athleticism and defensive smarts in college, sparking hope he could contribute immediately. A knee injury sidelined him from Summer League, but Dan Woike of The Athletic reports he is on track for training camp by the end of September.
Thiero’s performance in training camp and the preseason will be vital as if he’s rehearsing for a Broadway debut on his way to cracking JJ Redick’s rotation. The Lakers, famous for their love of players ready to do the dirty work, have high hopes for Thiero’s athletic contribution. Rob Pelinka, thrilled like a kid with a new video game console, revealed they had a first-round grade on Thiero. “It’s like having a first-round pick,” Pelinka said, emphasizing their aggressive draft moves to snag Thiero. His play will decide if those moves were as promising as they seemed on draft day.
