The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to trade up twice in the 2025 NBA Draft. They initially agreed to jump ten spots, using the No. 55 overall pick and cash to move up to the No. 45 pick. Los Angeles then agreed to move up to No. 36, using the pick they had previously acquired and cash.
They eventually used the selection to draft wing Adou Thiero. The four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class saw his minutes and production gradually improve in each of his three seasons at the collegiate level. He spent his first two years with the Kentucky Wildcats before following John Calipari to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Thiero had a breakout season, averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.5 minutes per game while shooting 54.5% from the field. While his outside shot remains a work in progress, the newest Laker has drawn comparisons to a recent Olympic gold medalist.
Bleacher Report’s NBA staff shared their official scouting report of Los Angeles’ rookie.
“Thiero projects to play a similar role as San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson if he’s able improve his shotmaking,” Bleacher Report’s NBA staff wrote Thursday. “Both have similar frames, can switch between the small forward and power forward positions, and they’re at their best in the open floor or attacking the rim. Neither probably projects as an All-Star. But like Johnson, Thiero can carve out a starter role in the league. Can he keep it is the question, as it’s also been with Johnson as his role evolves with the Spurs.”
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Johnson has had an up-and-down six-year tenure with the Spurs. While he won an Olympic gold medal in 2020 and averaged 22.0 ppg in 2022-23, his role has significantly diminished as the roster around him has improved.
The San Antonio forward has been an adequate defender, however, Thiero figures to have more defensive upside based off of his college tape. He could see the floor often as a rookie as the Lakers will look to surround Luka Dončić and LeBron James with defensive help.
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