Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick indicated on Monday that rookie forward Adou Thiero is unlikely to reenter the team’s regular rotation in the near future, even after a standout performance with the club’s G League affiliate.
Thiero, the No. 41 pick in last June’s draft out of Arkansas, poured in 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and added two assists, two blocks and a steal during South Bay’s game in Santa Cruz on Sunday night. The 6-foot-9 wing went a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range in what Redick called one of the prospect’s best professional outings to date.
“He needs to play basketball,” Redick said after practice in El Segundo. “He didn’t have a summer, didn’t get to do preseason, then got hurt again. Being down there and getting coached is important, and in four of the last five games he’s been really good.”
Thiero missed Summer League, training camp and the preseason because of a knee injury. He briefly appeared in the Lakers’ early-season rotation before a second knee setback sidelined him for roughly six weeks. Now healthy, the 21-year-old has focused on regaining rhythm and conditioning in the G League.
Despite Thiero’s athleticism and defensive upside—attributes the Lakers have lacked on the wing—Redick acknowledged that playing time at the NBA level is scarce.
“When we’re healthy, I have a hard enough time getting everyone minutes as it is,” the coach said. “We definitely want to get him opportunities, but those opportunities are not there right now. That’s just the reality.”
The Lakers, who delivered their best defensive effort of the season in Sunday’s victory over the New York Knicks, remain committed to a long-term development plan for Thiero while prioritizing a postseason push.
Source: LakersNation.com
