Thiero Eyes Expanded Role With Lakers Amidst Roster Changes
Second-year forward Adou Thiero is healthy and ready to compete for playing time during the Lakers' preseason, seeing a significant opportunity following offseason roster turnover.
SACRAMENTO — Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero expressed optimism about his prospects for increased playing time this season, viewing the team's preseason as a critical opportunity to solidify his role. Healthy after dealing with knee ailments that sidelined him for much of last season, Thiero is available for the Lakers' preseason slate, which began Monday against the Kings.
Last year, Thiero missed the entire 2025 Summer League, preseason, and the start of the 2025-26 regular season due to left knee issues. Now, with the Lakers having undergone significant roster changes over the summer, Thiero is aiming to capitalize on the available minutes.
“I feel like I have a pretty great opportunity in front of me considering the guys that aren’t here anymore,” Thiero said. “And now everybody’s still trying to figure out where to be at. So that gives me an opportunity to [earn a spot in the rotation].”
Thiero has garnered praise during training camp, with coach JJ Redick noting his “unbelievable last two months of development.” Redick added that Thiero’s body is in great shape and he has continuously improved.
Having played in 25 regular-season games (149 minutes) in 2025-26, six playoff games, and participated in the Summer League, Thiero now possesses a clearer understanding of the coaching staff's expectations. "It’s different watching it, and then it’s different going in there and actually doing it and understanding it," Thiero explained. "So being able to go out there and actually do it and understand it now, I understand everything a lot better than around this time last year."
Teammate Austin Reaves mentioned that Thiero has been actively seeking his advice since the summer. "AR’s one of the best offensive players in the league. So just being able to play defense against him…he’s so crafty, like there’s multiple different ways he can score," Thiero said. "Shooting, getting to the rim, floaters, little pull-ups, even whenever he gets into his little foul baiting. So just being able to guard him, that’s setting me up to guard the other players, good offensive players too."
Redick emphasized the importance of developing players like Thiero and rookie wing Cam Carr, stating, “if we can develop the Adou and develop [rookie wing] Cam [Carr] and develop these guys into functional rotation NBA players over the next 12 to 24 months, it changes our ceiling.” Thiero's performance throughout the upcoming preseason will be a key storyline to watch as the Lakers aim to integrate new talent and build their roster for the future.