Why Lakers made 2 trades to move up for NBA Draft sleeper pick Adou Thiero

The Los Angeles Lakers knew who they wanted, but they had to get there.

They began Thursday holding the No. 55 pick in the NBA Draft, late in the second round.

They made a trade midday to get up to No. 45.

And then during the draft, they traded up again to get to No. 36.

The move was made to select John Calipari's Arkansas star, Adou Thiero.

A 6-foot-6 wing, Thiero is NBA-ready after three college seasons.

He spent his first two seasons with Coach Cal at Kentucky before breaking out in his lone season with the Razorbacks.

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For Arkansas, Thiero averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

His swing skill will be shooting. He knocked down only 25.6% of 3s at Arkansas, and that's why he wasn't a first-rounder.

But if the Lakers can unlock his outside shot even a little, he'll be a steal at this spot.

Even if not, he's athletic and strong enough to contribute off the bench in a backcourt led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

The Lakers knew they wanted him, and they made sure they got him.

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