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Lakers GM breaks down belief in franchise's draft pick

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka called Adou Thiero a “first-round talent,” praising his athleticism, defense, and character. He revealed the team’s aggressive draft-day plan, crediting scouts and ownership for supporting a bold move to reshape the roster with youth and physicality.

The Los Angeles Lakers emerged from the 2025 NBA Draft with a trio of intriguing prospects—Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, and Adou Thiero—signaling both a commitment to youth and a clear vision for the future of the franchise.

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While Knecht and James had already drawn significant attention, it was the draft-day pursuit of Adou Thiero that demonstrated the Lakers’ true intent. Without a first-round pick, Los Angeles maneuvered aggressively, trading up twice—from No. 55 to 45, then ultimately to No. 36—to select the former Arkansas Razorback.

“We were super aggressive to begin the day,” Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said on Spectrum SportsNet. “Knowing that we didn’t have a first-round pick, Adou was projected by our scouts as a first-round talent.”

Thiero, 21, brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and defensive versatility to the Lakers' roster. In his final college season, he averaged 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per 40 minutes, showcasing elite defensive instincts. Offensively, he remains a work in progress—his career three-point percentage stands at 28.4%, including 25.6% last season with the Razorbacks—but his physical tools and work ethic are generating excitement within the organization.

“I’m ready to go in and do whatever,” Thiero said shortly after being drafted. “Help the team, do whatever Coach JJ [Redick] needs me to do.”

Pelinka echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Thiero’s fit in the modern NBA.

“One of the things we needed to address is to get younger and more athletic on the wings,” he said. “Being able to get a player like Adou that can catch lobs from the corner when Luka [Doncic] is making paint decisions is going to be really special.”

This remark subtly reinforced Doncic’s continued presence in Los Angeles, following his blockbuster trade to the Lakers in February 2025—an acquisition that paired the league's 2023–24 scoring champion with LeBron James.

High Praise From Experts and Front Office

The decision to draft Thiero has been widely praised. Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports both awarded the pick an “A,” while ESPN gave it a B-plus. The Athletic’s John Hollinger highlighted Thiero’s upside, writing that he “has a chance to compete for minutes right away.”

Pelinka confirmed that he and head coach JJ Redick personally met with Thiero ahead of the draft.

“JJ Redick and I actually hosted him in our building a couple of weeks ago,” Pelinka said. “Took him to lunch, really got to know his character. He’s just a great young man, hungry to learn and grow. We’re super excited about all that.”

From TV Screen to Lakers Locker Room

For Thiero, the realization of becoming a Laker still feels surreal.

“It’s definitely crazy,” he admitted. “I was just watching them on TV. I went to a couple of Lakers playoff games. It’s still crazy to think about. I haven’t made peace with it yet.”

Thiero has modeled parts of his game on elite NBA defenders such as OG Anunoby and Jrue Holiday, both known for their physicality and lockdown defense. That defensive mindset will be invaluable on a team aiming to return to championship contention.

Lakers Betting Big on Development

Los Angeles sees Thiero as more than just a role player. His explosiveness, physical profile (broad shoulders, powerful frame), and defensive instincts have convinced the Lakers' staff that he could be a difference-maker with proper development.

“Once he steps onto the Lakers' practice facility, he’ll be one of the most athletic players on the roster,” one insider said.

With the California Classic Summer League set to begin July 5, Thiero will soon have his first chance to prove himself in purple and gold. Though he was the only Razorback drafted this year, his Arkansas teammate Johnell Davis is expected to join the Orlando Magic for Summer League competition.

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