Dan Woike, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, just spilled some serious tea on “The Zach Lowe Show” about second-year forward Adou Thiero, calling him a “ceiling raiser” for the team. This isn’t just some casual praise either. Woike actually said Thiero’s raw potential is a big reason the Lakers weren’t super disappointed about missing out on Jonathan Kuminga this summer. Talk about a vote of confidence!
The Unlocked Potential That Caught Their Eye
Even if Adou Thiero doesn’t clock a ton of meaningful minutes when the new NBA regular season tips off, his flashes of potential in the preseason clearly resonated. The dude is 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, but don’t let that fool you; he’s arguably the most athletically gifted player on the Lakers’ roster. We’re talking “jump out of the gym” athleticism that makes him an absolute monster in transition. Plus, his seven-foot wingspan is a game-changer on both ends of the floor. Woike highlighted that the Lakers were looking for a “discount Aaron Gordon” type in Kuminga: a hyper athlete who could space the floor, defend, and run. According to Woike, Thiero is exactly that, bringing a level of “pop and athleticism that, really, no one else does.”
From Red-Flagged Prospect to Coach Redick’s Wet Clay
Thiero’s journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. He barely played last season thanks to a knee issue that also sidelined him during the NCAA Tournament in college. That knee problem pushed him down a lot of draft boards, with many teams red-flagging him. But here’s the kicker: he’s been healthy for most of this preseason, and he’s showing what he can do. This isn’t just a run-and-jump guy; when the game slows down, he can attack the rim and draw fouls. He’s also become a disruptive force on defense and helps out on the boards, which Los Angeles desperately needs from its wings and forwards. The Lakers saw enough to acquire his draft rights after the Brooklyn Nets snagged him with the No. 36 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Back in the 2024-25 season at the University of Arkansas, he averaged 15.1 points on 54.5% shooting and 5.8 rebounds a game. Sure, his perimeter jumper isn’t consistent yet, and his free throw shooting needs work. But for coach JJ Redick, Thiero is an “attractive wet ball of clay,” and everyone’s looking forward to seeing him molded into a true work of art.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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