When a player comes to the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time, one of the best things he can do is start to ingratiate himself into the greater Los Angeles area community. During the NBA offseason, one way to do so is to show support for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers, who are the defending World Series champions, have been in a slump for much of the summer so far. But they have shown signs of returning to form lately, especially after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, who are first in the American League East, on both Friday and Saturday.
To kick off Saturday’s 9-1 victory, center Deandre Ayton, forward Jake LaRavia and incoming rookie Adou Thiero each threw out first pitches at Dodger Stadium.
Rate the first pitches of Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Adou Thiero during their visit to Dodger Stadium:
🎥: @DodgerBlue1958pic.twitter.com/JgE3Ib7LM7
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) August 10, 2025
Ayton is poised to significantly upgrade the Lakers at the center position, a position they were very weak at last season following the Luka Doncic trade. He has career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game, and while his defense has been mostly lackluster so far in his career, he appears to have the physical tools to become a good, if not a great, defender.
LaRavia, 23, started to emerge as an excellent 3-point shooter last season, and he may also have the potential to become a plus defender. Thiero is a very athletic forward who has tremendous defensive potential and can attack off the dribble and finish strong at the rim.
The Dodgers will wrap up their series against Toronto on Sunday afternoon. After that will come the latest edition of the “Freeway Series” versus the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Orange County.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Three new Lakers throw out first pitch at Saturday’s Dodgers game
