The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a hot start this season, and could be adding an interesting young player to the fold. Center Drew Timme has been working his way up to the NBA and finally got a chance to play for the Brooklyn Nets this year, but that was short-lived
He eventually made his way to the South Bay Lakers of the G League, and he’s been lighting things up. Timme has averaged 25.5 points a game in the G League, and the NBA could no longer ignore him.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are signing Timme to a two-way contract. While this doesn’t give him a full-time spot on the NBA roster, it will allow him to suit up for NBA games. Once he gets on the court, he can try to prove that his G League stats aren’t a fluke.
To make room for Timme, the Lakers had to waive center Christian Koloko. He’s been in the Lakers’ system since last season, but Timme is showing a bit more promise. Koloko could have a chance to get back on the South Bay Lakers’ roster, but the two-way spot is Timme’s for now. Koloko only played in two games for the Lakers this season.
Deandre Ayton Banged up vs. Jazz
The Lakers were likely motivated to make a move at center after Deandre Ayton got banged up during the recent game against the Utah Jazz. He wasn’t able to play in the second half of the game, which allowed the Jazz to keep the game close.
Ayton has been an important piece for the Lakers this season.
“I’m sure he’s just frustrated because he wasn’t able to continue,” Austin Reaves said of Ayton after the game. “We obviously missed him. It was next-man mentality, and Maxi came in and changed the game.”
Jaxson Haybe was asked to step in for Ayton, and couldn’t make much of a positive impact, but LeBron James is confident in the depth the Lakers have at center if Ayton has to miss time.
“Obviously, Jaxson has been in a starting role for us before, so very easy for him to step in and into that role,” James said. “But Maxi gave us big-time minutes. Brought physicality, had a big-time move towards the end to get that dunk.”
Could Timme Play Real Minutes?
It might be a bit risky to give Timme real minutes. The Western Conference is brutal right now, so the Lakers can’t afford to lose many games.
If Timme can do even half of what he did in the G League, then he can earn a role on the team. It remains to be seen if he’s improved that much as a player. The Lakers would certainly be happy to find that they have a good center outside of Ayton on their roster. In the meantime, head coach JJ Redick is trying not to worry about Ayton yet.
“I mean, everybody’s got to be ready again,” Redick said. “I don’t want to speculate on DA, but we feel confident that we have enough options.”
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