Lakers Rookie's Surprising Injury Gets New Update

The Lakers wound up with just one pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and it was a second-rounder. But they were certainly busy, using trades and cash to move up from No. 55 to No. 36, where they got a lengthy and defensively promising prospect from Arkansas, Adou Theiro.

There's a chance that, with his size (he's 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wing span) and athleticism, Thiero could be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. But he was held out of summer league in both California and Las Vegas because of a knee injury--it was labeled a hyperextension--suffered in February.

That was a surprise, because only a severe hyperextension would require more than a few weeks of recovery time. Thiero missed more than four months.

Still, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, there is good news on Thiero.

Adou Thiero Ready for Lakers Camp?

In a mailbag, Woike was asked about Thiero and wrote: "There were definitely some eyebrows raised around the NBA when Thiero missed summer league with a knee issue, but I can finally offer a little optimism. I’ve been told Thiero has been working out in the Lakers’ facility and is expected to be participating once training camp opens at the end of September.

"As far as his role? It’s gonna be crowded. But it’s sort of a universal truth in the NBA. If young players want to get on the court, you do it by making an impact on the defensive end. And Thiero has the tools to make an impact on the defensive end."

Indeed, that is Thiero's calling card. It had better be, seeing as he is a gun-shy shooter who made only 28.4% of his collegiate 3s.

From NBA.com's scouting report: "Thiero’s ceiling will ultimately be decided by how his 3-point shot develops, but his elite athleticism and impressive length give him a solid floor as an impactful defender who can crash the glass and finish at the rim. Thiero’s game is reminiscent of Jalen Johnson and Noah Clowney coming out of college as lengthy defenders who can be used in small-ball lineups and get to the rim by cutting off-ball or running in transition."