When Thursday started, the Los Angeles Lakers had the No. 55 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They then traded it, along with cash, to the Chicago Bulls for the No. 45 pick.
But they weren’t done, as they later shipped off that No. 45 pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 36 pick. That pick was originally held by the Brooklyn Nets, who then sent it to Minnesota. Many thought L.A. had its sights set on taking a center in the second round, and there was a belief that its target was Ryan Kalkbrenner, a center out of Creighton University.
Instead, the Lakers are getting a wing. The Nets took wing Adou Thiero, a forward out of the University of Arkansas, and he will be a member of the Purple and Gold.
Adiero is 6-foot-8 and 218 pounds and possesses tremendous athleticism. He has three years of college experience, but he still has a good amount of upside, especially on the defensive end.
He averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game while shooting 54.5% from the field this past season while helping his school reach the Sweet Sixteen round of the men’s NCAA Tournament.
The Lakers need help at the wing spot, as well as more athleticism, and perhaps Thiero will help.
