Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero has recovered his allegedly stolen SUV with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, an incident that briefly pulled the first-year forward into an unexpected off-court spotlight as details of the case emerged this week.
According to NBC LA reporter Alex Rozier, Thiero’s vehicle was tracked to a hotel in West Hollywood after being reported stolen. Sheriff’s deputies located the SUV after it was valet-parked by two suspects, who then entered the hotel, allowing law enforcement to review surveillance footage and make arrests.
“Lakers forward Adou Thiero had his SUV stolen, and LA County Sheriff’s deputies helped him get it back,” Rozier reported. “One of the two people arrested was Samson Nacua, the brother of Rams star Puka Nacua.”
The department confirmed that two individuals — Trey Rose and Samson Nacua, 27 — were cited and released after being arrested on suspicion of taking the vehicle without permission. The case remains under review as prosecutors consider whether to file charges.
Incident Adds Off-Court Twist to Thiero’s Rookie Season
While the situation drew national attention due to the high-profile names involved, the Lakers have treated the matter as a law enforcement issue unrelated to team operations. Thiero has not commented publicly, and the organization has offered no indication that the incident will affect his role or development.
The recovery of the vehicle allows Thiero to refocus on basketball at a pivotal stage of his rookie season, as he continues to work his way into Los Angeles’ rotation following a delayed start caused by injury.
Lakers Bet Big on Thiero Despite Pre-Draft Injury
Thiero has appeared in nine games for the Lakers, averaging 1.1 points in 5.8 minutes per contest after recovering from a knee injury suffered shortly before the NBA Draft. Despite the setback, the Lakers’ front office remained aggressive in its pursuit of the athletic wing.
On draft night, Lakers president and general manager Rob Pelinka orchestrated a pair of trades to move nearly 20 spots up the board — from No. 55 to No. 36 overall — to secure Thiero.
“We were super aggressive to begin the day knowing that we didn’t have a first-round pick,” Pelinka told Spectrum SportsNet after the 2025 NBA Draft. “Adou was projected by our scouts as a first-round talent. It’s almost like having the first-round pick that we traded out.”
To execute the move, Los Angeles first sent the No. 55 pick and cash considerations to the Chicago Bulls to move up to No. 45, then flipped that selection and additional cash to the Minnesota Timberwolves to reach No. 36 — the pick used on Thiero.
Adou Thiero Draws OG Anunoby Comparison
Pelinka raised eyebrows following the draft when he likened Thiero’s archetype to New York Knicks star OG Anunoby, one of the league’s premier two-way wings.
“I don’t want to put pressure on anyone to become someone else,” Pelinka said. “But that archetype is definitely it. He’s got the 6-foot-7 frame, he’s incredibly explosive, a developing shooter, and a lob catcher. On the other side of the ball, he’s going to be an elite defender.”
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, Thiero fits the physical profile teams covet in modern NBA wings, combining length, athleticism and positional versatility.
College Pedigree and G League Production Reinforce Upside
Thiero averaged 15.1 points on 54.5% shooting and 5.8 rebounds per game last season at Arkansas, though his perimeter shooting remains a work in progress after hitting just 28.4% from three-point range across his college career.
Still, his defensive instincts and motor made him a favorite among scouts. Former Arkansas coach John Calipari labeled him “the steal of the draft.”
“Forget what round he is drafted in,” Calipari wrote on X. “They will look back and say, ‘How did he get drafted there?’ He has what it takes mentally and physically to succeed in the NBA.”
The Lakers recently recalled Thiero from the G League’s South Bay Lakers, where he showed flashes of his upside. In three games, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game.
Focus Returns to Basketball for Lakers Rookie
With the off-court matter resolved and his development continuing, Thiero remains viewed internally as a long-term piece — a project player with defensive upside and the physical tools to eventually earn a rotation role.
For now, the Lakers are content to see their investment progress on the court — and relieved that an unexpected detour away from basketball has finally been resolved.
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