Hold up, did you hear that the Lakers weren’t even *that* bent out of shape about missing out on Jonathan Kuminga this summer? Turns out, they had a secret weapon already in their arsenal, and his name is Adou Thiero. After a rookie season completely derailed by injuries, Thiero is finally healthy and showing out, making it clear why the Purple and Gold are so high on their sophomore wing.
From Injury Woes to Preseason Prowess
Adou Thiero’s first year in the league? Man, it was a rough one. Injuries totally robbed him of his rookie season, which was a huge bummer for a Lakers squad that desperately needed some wing athleticism. Instead of integrating with the team, Thiero was stuck rehabbing or grinding it out in the G League. But don’t let that fool you: the team’s belief in him for this sophomore campaign is through the roof. Just look at his playing time in preseason; it tells you everything you need to know about where they stand with him. And get this: the same knee issue that sidelined him in college and made teams red-flag him, pushing him down draft boards? He’s been healthy for *most* of this preseason. That’s a huge sigh of relief, right?
The Kuminga Trade-Off That Nobody Expected
So, here’s where it gets really interesting. Dan Woike from The Athletic spilled the beans on “The Zach Lowe Show” about the Lakers’ chase for Jonathan Kuminga this summer. And he dropped a bomb: the team wasn’t “totally bent out of shape” when they didn’t land him. Why? Because of Adou Thiero. Woike said the Lakers wanted a “discount Aaron Gordon” in Kuminga: a hyper athlete who can space the floor, defend, run transition, basically a monster. Well, guess what? Woike straight up called Thiero “one of the best athletes in the NBA.” The dude gives them a “level of pop and athleticism that, really, no one else does.” And seeing how much more “controlled and impactful” he’s been this preseason? It’s easy to see why the Lakers feel like they’ve already got their guy.
This kid is built different. With his insane athleticism, he stands out even on a team stacked with wings. The Lakers are clearly giving him the opportunity to be a meaningful piece, and it sure looks like he’s going to get his chance once the season officially tips off. If he can just keep adding those other skills to his game this season, the Lakers might have stumbled upon a new, young piece for their core. Keep your eyes peeled, because Adou Thiero’s sophomore year could be the real deal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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