The Los Angeles Lakers need some young, athletic players to emerge as key contributors for them, both because they lack athleticism and because of their salary cap situation. They have someone who can become that type of player on their bench in Adou Thiero.
Thiero, a 6-foot-7 forward who was a rookie this season, appeared in just 25 regular-season games with the Lakers, partly due to injury issues. He suffered a knee injury that required surgery last year, and it prevented him from taking part in summer league play.
He averaged 1.9 points in six minutes a game this season, and when he did play, his athleticism, energy and explosiveness occasionally jumped off the page. He recently said that he will probably participate in summer league play this July.
“Most likely,” Thiero said. “I didn’t get to play last year, so I would assume they’ll have me out there this summer.”
Thiero is thought to have the potential to become a plus defender who can get out in transition and finish strong, two facets of the game in which the Lakers need help. Right now, his perimeter shot is nonexistent, and he mentioned that he wants to work on that part of his game this offseason so that he can be a bigger contributor.
He was the No. 36 pick in last year’s NBA draft out of the University of Arkansas, where he averaged 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds a game last season while playing for legendary college coach John Calipari.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Adou Thiero expects to play in summer league this year