Lakers' Rob Pelinka Makes His Thoughts On Deandre Ayton Very Clear originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the 2024-25 NBA season ended, it was clear the Los Angeles Lakers needed help in the paint. The team’s top priority heading into the offseason was finding a reliable big man who could anchor the front court on both ends of the floor.

Adou Thiero, the No. 36 pick in last month’s NBA draft, won’t play in Summer League games as he rehabs a knee injury but is expected to be ready for training camp.

In Los Angeles, the No. 22 jersey was retired in Nov. 1983 to honor Lakers legend Elgin Baylor, who ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in nearly every major category and once dropped 71 points in a single game—a franchise record at the time.