The Los Angeles Lakers made a bold move in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. It’s not so usual to see a team trade up 20 spots, which is why they did to get Adou Thiero.
It’s even less usual when that kind of move could have some serious financial implications for the Lakers, as it put them closer to the infamous second apron of the luxury tax threshold.
However, John Calipari, who coached Thiero in college, believes that was the right move. When asked about his pupil, Calipari claimed that he should’ve been taken in the first round.
John Calipari says Adou Thiero is a first-round talent
“Adou Theiro is a first-round talent. I love the physicalness he plays with. He can can play a physical game and he’s in one percent,” he said on The Pat McAfee Show.
Some scouts had the Razorbacks’ forward going in the first round, so it was rather surprising to see him slip so much. He’s strong, physical, and has great defensive instincts.
The Lakers have one of the best player development staffs in the game, so even though it might be a while before he makes an impact, he could end up being one of the steals of the draft.