Lakers Secure Interior Reinforcement Amid Ayton’s Absence
The Los Angeles Lakers have added a new interior player to their roster this Monday, just as they prepare to face the short-term absence of their starting center, Deandre Ayton.
Ayton, who left Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz due to a right knee contusion, has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the team announced.
In the night of Monday, the Lakers signed Drew Timme, a 6-foot-10-inch center, to a dual contract. The news was confirmed by his agents, Deddrick Faison and Rich Gray.
Timme averaged 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists this season with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. He stood out during training, even when LeBron James was on a rehabilitation assignment with South Bay.
Timme signed with the Brooklyn Nets in March after playing for the Stockton Kings of the G League. He averaged 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in nine games to close out the season with Brooklyn, starting twice.
At 25 years old, Timme was a prominent figure in college, being a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Gonzaga’s all-time leading scorer with 2,307 points in four seasons.
Timme was not selected in the 2023 draft and began his professional career playing for the Wisconsin Herd of the G League in 2023-24, after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Milwaukee Bucks to join their training camp.
To make room for Timme, the Lakers waived center Christian Koloko.
