Adou

Thiero

Limited to 25 NBA appearances as a rookie, Thiero may be able to earn a larger role within the Lakers’ rotation next season. LeBron James has informed the team that he won’t be back, and Rui Hachimura remains a free agent. The Lakers have a clear need for athleticism on the wing, and Thiero can certainly provide that. He didn’t have his best shooting game against the Spurs, but his ability to influence the action defensively was on display at times. While Walker Kessler will provide the rim protection, he can’t be the only player who provides cover for the Lakers’ subpar perimeter defenders. Thiero isn’t someone to target in redraft leagues, but he is worth tracking this summer for dynasty leagues.

Vanderbilt, who dislocated his right pinky finger during Game 1, did not play in Thursday’s Game 2 defeat. His absence factored into Adou Thiero playing six minutes off the bench, but that was not enough to affect the action on either end of the floor.

Thiero has missed the last three games with a knee injury, but he will be available against Cleveland. However, even when available, he has rarely seen the floor this season.

Thiero’s continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball, as he is not in the Lakers’ rotation when healthy.

Thiero will be unavailable for this game, but he has hardly seen the floor recently. His absence won’t alter the Lakers’ rotation.

Thiero hasn’t been part of the Lakers’ rotation consistently this season, especially in recent months. His status won’t alter the team’s rotation against Indiana.

Thiero suffered a sprained right MCL in late December and has not appeared in a game since. That could change on Tuesday, especially given the number of players the Lakers won’t have. However, that isn’t enough to make the rookie a player worth slotting into lineups.

This is a tough injury for Thiero, who returned from a separate knee injury earlier this season only to get injured again. While he wasn’t getting much playing time so far, there might’ve been a chance for him to play given the Lakers’ other injuries. Obviously, that’s off the table now. Thiero will be re-evaluated in four weeks, though his absence won’t impact fantasy basketball.

With Smart unavailable, Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht should take on extra minutes, with one of them sliding into the starting lineup. Rookie Adou Thiero could also make his NBA debut with Smart out. He won’t play enough to be worth streaming, but he’s worth keeping tabs on.

Thiero will be available to make his NBA debut, though it is unclear how large of a role he’ll have after dealing with a knee injury for nearly two months. He’s an athletic defender, but he probably won’t make much of a fantasy impact early on.