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By Ricardo Sandoval
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Los Angeles Lakers make yet another trade from No. 45 to No. 36 and select Arkansas wing Adou Thiero.
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The Lakers started the day holding the No. 55 pick. That quickly changed to them having the No. 45 pick in the draft, and just moments before the No. 36 pick. They then traded with the Minnesota Timberwolves to collect the No. 36 pick.
The Lakers managed to climb 19 spots in the draft to land a player they've clearly been high on for some time. During ESPN's broadcast, it was noted that Los Angeles had been eyeing a trade up — and once Thiero became a possibility, they didn't hesitate to make their move.
As the offseason rolls on, the Lakers are expected to remain aggressive in reshaping their roster. Big moves are anticipated, and this trade could be the first domino to fall.
While second-round picks typically don't grab headlines, it's evident the Lakers saw something special in Thiero — and they weren't going to risk letting him slip past them.
Thiero stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 220 pounds. The 21-year-old is coming off a season in which he averaged 15.1 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 54.5 percent from the field on 9.1 attempts per game and 25.6 percent on 1.6 threes per game in 27 games and 27.5 minutes of action.
Thiero joins the NBA and one of the more well-regarded teams in the league as a small forward with a 7-foot wingspan and the type of athleticism that stands out on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he's a menace—relentless on the perimeter and on the boards—using his length to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and clean up the glass.
On offense, he thrives as a slasher and transition threat, excelling at cutting off the ball and finishing above the rim with authority.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony had high praise for the newest Lakers forward.
"Thiero is perhaps the most explosive player in this draft, an event creator defensively who is a significant mismatch attacking in a straight line and the open court, drawing fouls in bunches and finishing in highlight-reel fashion."
The Lakers had one pick, and it appears that they knocked it out of the park.
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