​The Los Angeles Lakers and their supporters are optimistic that Adou Thiero can soon establish himself as a rotation option at the NBA level. The young forward entering his second year battled injuries and saw limited minutes as a rookie, but he has flashed potential in these summer league outings.
In the Lakers’ opener of the Las Vegas summer league schedule, Thiero delivered a standout performance, dropping a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting. The next night, he followed up with 15 points on a less efficient 4-of-12 night, yet still made a notable impact.
After Friday’s 96-84 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thiero explained that his goal is to contribute defensively in the areas where Los Angeles needs help. “Just trying to go out there and cause havoc,” he said. “JJ [Redick] talks about the specifics—we need a point-of-attack, on-ball defender, and everything. So I’m striving to be that, to get the reps, to defend, and offensively, just to play basketball and simplify the game for myself.” Point-of-attack defense has long been a deficiency for the Lakers, and if Thiero, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 220 pounds, can effectively guard ball-handlers, it could significantly boost his chances of earning Redick’s rotation.
Thiero also noted personal progress, pointing to his readiness and the factors helping him grow. “I feel like I’m capable of doing this,” he said. “It’s not foreign to me—the things I did in the G League last year. I felt comfortable there, understood how to play, took that break, stayed focused on getting healthy, and now I’m finally able to get back out there. I sense I’ve sped myself up a bit, and I’m slowing down to let the game come to me.”
Offensively, Thiero remains a rim-attacker with a tendency to attack the basket with the force of a bull in a china shop. That rough-edged style was evident during the California Classic about a week earlier, but in Las Vegas he has shown a more refined approach in two games, enabling him to finish more efficiently at the rim. His elite athleticism continues to translate into transition opportunities, and he has produced several easy dunks in recent outings.
Thiero’s athletic burst enables him to sprint in transition and finish with authority, a trait that has been highlighted in his two most recent summer league appearances. His capacity to accelerate down the floor and convert opportunities at the rim has underscored the potential impact he could have if he can continue refining his on-ball defense and decision-making.
This assessment of Thiero’s development underscores a broader narrative for the Lakers: his continued improvement could supply valuable depth in the backcourt and wing positions, particularly on the defensive end. If he sustains the momentum from Las Vegas and translates it into consistent performances in regular-season contexts, Thiero could carve out a meaningful role for Los Angeles.
This piece originally appeared on LeBron Wire and has been rewritten to emphasize Thiero’s role, development, and the progression shown during the summer league, with a focus on his defense, offensive approach, and athletic potential.