TITLE: Adou Thiero Keeps Attention on Summer League Development amid Lakers Roster Turnover
SLUG: adou-thiero-focuses-on-summer-league-despite-lakers-overhaul
CONTENT:
Second-year forward Adou Thiero says his priority is sharpening his game in Las Vegas Summer League, even as the Los Angeles Lakers undergo a sweeping roster makeover.
“This is the team I’m with right now, so I’m focused on getting better with this group of guys,” Thiero told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Just going out and competing whenever we can.”
The 21-year-old is one of the few holdovers from last season, when injuries limited his minutes but he still appeared in select regular-season contests and the playoffs. All five starters from the Lakers’ postseason opener against the Houston Rockets—LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton—have departed.
Head coach JJ Redick’s revamped roster now includes newcomers Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton. Despite the additions, Los Angeles remains thin on the wing, giving Thiero an opening to earn a spot as a point-of-attack defender and energy player.
The native of Pittsburgh will have a spotlight in Las Vegas, where club officials will evaluate whether his defensive versatility can translate to a permanent rotation role next season.
Lakers add two-way forward AK Okereke
Los Angeles also signed former Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke to a two-way contract. Okereke described himself as a versatile contributor on both ends and will join Thiero on the Summer League roster.
Thiero last played on March 19, 2026, warming up at Kaseya Center in Miami before a regular-season matchup with the Heat. He now turns his attention to proving he can help fill the Lakers’ perimeter needs when training camp opens in the fall.
Source: Lakers Nation
