The LA Lakers had the No. 36 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft from a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and they have used it to pick Adou Thiero from the Arkansas Razorbacks. The 6’8 forward is a known high-flyer and will add more athleticism to a team that already features LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
This selection has drawn quite a reaction from fans, particularly regarding the lobs that Doncic might hand to the high-flying forward.
“Luka to Adou Theiro lobs will feed the nation,” one fan wrote.
Luka to Adou Theiro lobs will feed the nation
— Le5-6 (@deepyy_) June 27, 2025
“Dude is a serious high flyer !!!” another fan tweeted.
“as a die hard lebron fan and a die hard arkansas razorback fan my whole life I can promise you that you are not excited enough about this pick. go look at his transformation at kentucky 2 seasons ago to last year…physically, mentally & his production jump,” pointed out one Arkansas fan.
Meanwhile, not all Lakers fans are happy with Adou Thiero’s selection, with many feeling they should have used the No. 36 pick for a center, which is what the team is lacking.
“Why did we draft him when we needed a center?” asked a LeBron James parody account.
“I guess we getting a center through FA then,” said another fan.
“Can he play C and grab rebounds?” asked another fan.
Adou Thiero was a junior forward for Arkansas, averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game for John Calipari’s squad. He played for the Kentucky Wildcats (2022-24) before deciding to transfer to Arkansas.
Adou Thiero will add a defensive powerhouse to LA Lakers after defensive woes last season
In college, Adou Thiero made a name for himself not just with his athleticism and high-flying skills, but also his defense. ESPN even acknowledged him as “one of the most disruptive defenders in college basketball” and the “best defensive playmaker in the class.”
His addition ensures that the Lakers will improve on defense, especially after they finished 17th in defensive rating in the 2024-2025 season, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves often struggling to guard the perimeter. With his athleticism, Thiero can get things done in the paint for the Lakers and also be a defensive threat.
The Lakers traded up to get the Arkansas forward, with the No. 36 pick originally belonging to Minnesota. However, while his defense and athleticism are there, Thiero is known to struggle offensively, and this is something that the Lakers will need to work on ahead of the season.
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