The first night of the 2025 NBA Draft was quiet for the Lakers, but they had a busy session on the second day, doing everything they could to move up in the second round. Through their efforts, they acquired Arkansas standout Adou Thiero, sparking significant comparisons in the community to Jarred Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt has always been known for his strong defensive presence and high energy off the bench, but his scoring ability has remained limited.
Meanwhile, the newly acquired Thiero brings similar defensive intensity paired with a more polished scoring skill set. As a result, some fans are already bidding farewell to the 6’8″ power forward, believing the Lakers may have landed a better replacement.
Did the Lakers Just Replace Vanderbilt With Thiero?
The Lakers made two trade moves on NBA Draft night to move up from pick No. 55 to No. 36 to acquire Thiero, a highly athletic 6’6″ wing out of Arkansas. They started with the 55th overall pick but traded that selection along with $2.5 million in cash to the Chicago Bulls to get the 45th pick.
Then, they immediately flipped the No. 45 pick, plus additional cash considerations, to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire the draft rights to Thiero, who had been selected at No. 36 by the Brooklyn Nets.
Now, his arrival is sure to bring pressure on Vanderbilt, as Thiero enters with a more polished scoring touch, averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game last season. In addition, he offers a 7-foot wingspan that brings the kind of defensive grit fans have long admired in Vanderbilt.
Meanwhile, some NBA insiders have reported that if the Lakers were to trade Vanderbilt, other teams might ask for a first-round draft pick to be included in the deal, since his contract isn’t considered team-friendly. Following those rumors, fans are doing the rest on social media, saying goodbye to the 26-year-old power forward.
One fan wrote, “Drafted a Vando that can finish.” As time passed, more reactions began pouring in, drawing comparisons between Vanderbilt and Thiero. One user noted, “Vando, see you later brodie, we just got another version of you that can actually attack the paint.” Another fan even thanked him for his time with the franchise, writing, “Thank you for everything, Vando! 💜💛.”
Vando see you later brodie, we just got another version of you that can actually attack the paint pic.twitter.com/FenabQFUcZ
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) June 27, 2025
drafted a Vando that can finish pic.twitter.com/1RHO2BrgLJ
— 🦈 (@HoodiHuff) June 27, 2025
Vanderbilt is currently under contract through the 2027-28 season, so unless he’s traded, he’s expected to remain part of the Lakers’ roster. But with Thiero now on board, his value will surely take a hit. It remains to be seen how the Lakers will use him or whether they ultimately choose to trade him.
