{"id":147255,"date":"2025-06-26T23:01:21","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T03:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=147255"},"modified":"2025-06-27T14:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T18:13:54","slug":"lakers-stunning-strategy-pays-off-in-2025-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/26\/lakers-stunning-strategy-pays-off-in-2025-nba-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Stunning Strategy Pays Off in 2025 NBA Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a dormant first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Lakers were active Thursday, moving up twice to take one of the most athletic prospects in this year\u2019s class.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Stunning Strategy Pays Off in 2025 NBA Draft<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lakers Trade Up and Draft Adou Thiero<\/b><\/h3>\n

Originally armed with the 55th pick, the Lakers made an intriguing choice to <\/span>trade up ten spots<\/span><\/a>, and then trade up again, ultimately landing the <\/span>36th pick<\/span><\/a> from the Minnesota Timberwolves. <\/span>Initially hoping to land<\/span><\/a> Creighton center <\/span>Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/span><\/a> (taken 34th by Charlotte), they ended up with a worthy consolation prize: Arkansas forward <\/span>Adou Thiero<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

An explosive, defensive-minded wing, <\/span>Thiero<\/span><\/a> is coming off a career year for head coach Jon Calipari. In 27 games, he put up 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals on .545\/.256\/.686 splits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scouting reports highlighted <\/span>Thiero\u2019s agility and energy on both ends<\/span><\/a>, with ESPN\u2019s Jonathan Givony calling him a <\/span>\u201cmismatch forward.\u201d<\/span><\/a> He\u2019s a standout finisher and <\/span>versatile defender<\/span><\/a> who completes highlight plays. Though he\u2019s <\/span>not much of a shooter<\/span><\/a>, the 6’6″ junior could help the Lakers with his interior presence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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"Has the physical tools. Downhill attacker who can slash and finish above the rim, jump shot has to improve but showed improvement over the past year. Has the potential to defend both wings…Can get deflections and steals with his length," one NBA college scout says on Thiero.<\/p>\n

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 27, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n