Teams like the Kings and Jazz had the benefit of having lottery picks in this year’s draft. However, the Los Angeles Lakers arguably won the draft despite only possessing the 55th overall pick at the beginning of the event. They traded their way into the early second round and drafted Arkansas forward Adou Thiero, who had the talent to be a first-rounder.
While he didn’t play in Summer League, Thiero has shown himself to be an excellent prospect in college. He can certainly provide great defense, athleticism, and finishing to this current Lakers squad. Let’s dive into three reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2025 NBA Draft.
3 Reasons Why The Los Angeles Lakers Won The 2025 NBA Draft
#1: Money Talks
One of the primary reasons the Lakers won this year’s draft is their strategic moves. They were able to trade up twice in the draft, jumping up 19 spots for Thiero. They first jumped up from 55 to 45 using only cash to sweeten the pot. Then, Los Angeles did it again, using the 45th pick and more cash considerations to move up to 36. Considering that they started with the 55th pick, the fact that they jumped up so high with only cash as a sweetener is incredible. Teams had only used future picks to move up spots in the draft, but the Lakers never gave up future capital. Given their lack of assets, their retention of future picks in these moves makes them a huge winner.
#2: Athleticism to the Max
A second reason why they won the draft is their acquisition of one of the most athletic players in the class. Unquestionably, Thiero has demonstrated throughout his college career that he is an athletic monster. From highlight dunks to big-time blocks, Thiero actively utilized his athleticism to be a dominant force on both ends. His athleticism is even comparable to players like the Thompson twins and Ron Holland. Considering the roster, it’s clear that the Lakers absolutely need an infusion of athleticism. The fact that one of their most athletic players is 40-year-old LeBron James means Los Angeles will have an athletic disadvantage most nights. While Thiero is just one player, his level of athleticism can provide the Lakers with much-needed dynamism on the court. His ability to leverage that athleticism will only be amplified playing next to Luka Doncic for years to come.
#3: Defensive Menace
The final reason for the Lakers winning the draft is the excellent defense they’re getting with Thiero. With the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith and the general lack of defensive personnel, Thiero will be a huge boost. Thiero has shown that he is a great defender who can be a versatile defensive piece. Specifically, his size and athleticism allow him to defend across multiple positions. While it remains to be seen whether he plays rotational minutes, Thiero has the skills and talent to replace Finney-Smith defensively. Not only can Thiero defend on the ball at a high level, but he is also a great off-ball defender as well. For a Lakers team in need of defense, Thiero gives them a great defender, both now and into the future.
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