Adou

Thiero

Thiero will be available for the first time this season. It’s unclear how he’ll fit into the Lakers’ rotation, but if he’s able to be a rotation piece, he could end up providing some steals.

Thiero dealt with knee swelling at the end of preseason and has been unavailable since. That could change this week, as the second-year wing has recently ramped up his workout intensity. While this won’t affect fantasy basketball, Thiero’s return will add athleticism on the wing for the Lakers.

Neither Carr nor Thiero played in Wednesday’s win over the Warriors, and both are considered day-to-day moving forward. Their absences mean the Lakers will stick with a nine-man rotation, with backup center Kevon Looney as the ninth man.

Thiero will not play in Wednesday’s opener against the Warriors due to a right knee effusion. There has also been some swelling in the knee, so the Lakers are shutting the second-year wing down for a few days. Upon his clearance to resume working out, Thiero will be considered day-to-day.

Knee issues continue to plague Thiero despite making some starts during the preseason. He won’t be available for the season opener, which should mean more minutes for Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle on the wing.

Thiero has started the Lakers’ last two preseason games, and his combination of athleticism and defensive versatility could keep him in that role once the regular season begins. He didn’t offer much as a scorer against the Kings, but the second-year forward recorded four “stocks” in his 21 minutes. Thiero isn’t a must-draft player, but his role is worth watching.

Thiero capped his summer with a perfect shooting performance, as he did not miss a shot from the field or the foul line on Saturday. Add in the rebounds, and he finished with his second double-double in Las Vegas. While the Lakers did make multiple frontcourt signings this summer, there is still a need for Thiero’s athleticism. He isn’t a player who must be selected in drafts, but it would be unsurprising if Thiero found a role within JJ Redick’s rotation.

While Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero (13/6/3/1/1) have been the stars for the Lakers in Las Vegas, Mañon’s production has improved with each game. The two-way contract forward posted his first double-double of the summer on Tuesday and also recorded two steals. Mañon is already on a two-way contract, and his opportunities next season may be limited given the Lakers’ overall roster. As a result, there isn’t much to expect from him in fantasy basketball for the foreseeable future.

After a solid showing at the California Classic, Thiero was one of the Lakers’ key contributors in Friday’s 96-84 win in Las Vegas. His athleticism was on display throughout the game, with the Lakers’ forward supplying athletic finishes and blocked shots. With LeBron James and Rui Hachimura out of the picture, there’s an opportunity for Thiero to earn a spot in JJ Redick’s rotation. In the short term, it’s fair to wonder if Thiero will be shut down before the Vegas Summer League continues. Even with the poor three-point shooting, he has looked like a player who has outgrown Summer League.

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.