The Los Angeles Lakers made an interesting selection with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Initially, the Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 NBA Draft with just the 55th overall pick. However, the Lakers moved up 10 spots after trading the pick and cash to the Chicago Bulls.
However, the Lakers weren’t done yet as they made another trade. This time, sending the Bulls’ acquired No. 45 pick and cash considerations to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Hence, they landed the 36th overall pick and used it to pick Arkansas forward Adou Thiero.
At 6’8″ and 220lbs, the LA Lakers have high expectations for Thiero. He will likely be asked to anchor the team’s defense as he did for Arkansas during his three-year NCAA stint.
Following his selection, Thiero was asked about his defensive acumen. To which the 21-year-old mentioned he has closely followed the games of OG Anunoby and Jrue Holiday.
“I watch a lot of defenders. Trying to pick up on what they do in the league, that’s a different level,” Thiero told Spectrum Sportsnet, h/t Daniel Starkland.
“It’s a lot of different stuff offensive players do in the league, so trying to pick up off of OG Anunoby, Jrue Holiday, he’s a great defender. Just picking up on what they do, watching how they play defense,” he added.
Aside from his defensive ability, Thiero has proven that he can score at will. After all, he averaged 15.1 points per game for Arkansas over three seasons.
Heading into the draft without a first-round pick is always difficult, but Rob Pelinka managed to turn their late second-round pick into a high second-round pick.
Pelinka claimed the decision was made to acquire Thiero, who the Lakers’ scouts projected as a first-round pick.
“We were super aggressive to begin the day, knowing we didn’t have a first-round pick. Adou was projected by our scouts as a first-round talent,” Pelinka said.
He added: “Thankful for the support of Jeanie [Buss] to allow us to be aggressive and use resources to win at the margins, move up in the draft, and get a player that we really think is going to dimensionalize our roster.”
The Lakers’ president of basketball operations and general manager also claimed that Thiero is a ‘beast.’ It certainly seems like the Lakers are content with this selection.
