The Los Angeles Lakers walked away from the NBA draft on Thursday night with Adou Thiero, an incoming rookie who could provide a lot for the team in 2025-26.

The team already has big plans for Thiero, and general manager Rob Pelinka spoke about them with Dan Woike.

“Pelinka pointed to OG Anunoby as an ‘archetype’ — Lakers had [Adou Thiero] in the building a few weeks ago. Thiero had lunch with Redick and Pelinka,” Woike wrote on X.

Pelinka pointed to OG Anunoby as an “archetype” — Lakers had him in the building a few weeks ago. Thiero had lunch with Redick and Pelinka.

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 27, 2025

On paper, it looks like Thiero will give the Lakers a tough defender who can improve his offensive game under head coach JJ Redick, who knows a thing or two about offense.

Thiero is a very athletic young man and can be physically intimidating.

He needs to use that to his advantage, finding ways to carve through the paint and make his way to the basket.

The comparison to Anunoby makes sense, and the Lakers hope he can play like him.

Many people believe this was a smart move by the Lakers, but is it enough?

Certainly not, and they will need to do more in the weeks and months ahead.

Most importantly, they have to address their biggest problem: the lack of an established and reliable center.

The loss of Anthony Davis really hurt the Lakers.

Even though they acquired Luka Doncic in that trade, they have been aching in the frontcourt, and they need to fix that.

Thiero could help the team, but he is too young and too inexperienced to be the answer to all their problems.

So, while some fans are happy with what the Lakers accomplished this week, they are now ready for more.

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