Adou Thiero says he wants a bigger Lakers role after an injury-marred rookie season

The Lakers came up short in their preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors, losing 124-98, but Adou Thiero still found something to build on. With Los Angeles shorthanded and preseason games proceeding through a rotation that felt in constant flux, Thiero tried to provide a spark and is now aiming to do more of that in the regular season.

Thiero’s offseason message is rooted in what he could not fully control. The forward’s rookie season, according to the report, was marred by injury issues that limited his ability to establish a steady rhythm. Preseason, in that sense, functions as both a measuring stick and a platform, and Thiero is treating it as the beginning of his push.

In the specific game that landed on his plate last week, the bigger story for Los Angeles was not the scoreboard. The report described a situation in which nearly half of the roster was sidelined, either due to injury or being rested. That context matters because it helps explain why Thiero, like other younger or more available players, got a larger share of moments to influence the flow of the contest.

Thiero is attempting to turn those chances into a clearer role. The Lakers’ coaching staff, as is typical during preseason, is using the exhibition stretch to evaluate who can provide dependable minutes when the team’s usual lineup patterns are disrupted. Thiero’s emphasis is on expanding his impact, not only by appearing on the floor but also by contributing in ways that translate to the regular-season rotation.

The report notes one of the ways he looked to stay involved, including a passing sequence in which he was seen working around Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg. That detail points to the type of growth Thiero is targeting, a shift from flashes into more sustained play, especially in a system where the coaching staff will want consistent decision-making and spacing.

What to watch next is whether Thiero can separate from the general preseason churn and establish himself as a repeatable option. A bigger role in the NBA is rarely built on one game, it is built on habits, availability, and the ability to fit into different lineups. For Los Angeles, that could be especially valuable if the early-season schedule runs into its usual mix of injuries and load management.

For now, Thiero’s next step is straightforward: translate preseason activity into more trusted minutes, and do it in a way that makes sense even when the Lakers do not have their full complement on the floor. If his offseason focus matches his preseason execution, Los Angeles could find a clearer identity for where he fits in a rotation that must stay functional regardless of who is missing on a given night.