The Los Angeles Lakers were quick to find another big man after it was announced that Deandre Ayton could miss time with a knee injury. Shortly after Ayton’s arrival on the injury report, the Lakers signed Drew Timme to the roster.
Timme was a three-time consensus All-American and two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year during his time at Gonzaga. He only has nine total appearances in his NBA career, but after joining the South Bay Lakers this season, he was most recently elevated to the first team.
Before the Lakers got LeBron James back from sciatica, the superstar spent time with the G-League affiliate, of which Timme was a part. Speaking about his brief time with James, the 25-year-old gave a blunt response.
“It was pretty crazy, man. Like, I mean, that’s the GOAT,” Timme said on James after he joined the roster. “To be able to share the court with him, especially being (on) the G-League team, that’s so out of the normal, it was crazy.”
Timme is expected to play a reserve or even backup role for the Lakers with Ayton out. Jaxson Hayes will likely get the starting role, with Maxi Kleber as the main backup. Los Angeles cut ties big man Christian Koloko to pick up the former Gonzaga star.
Drew Timme’s LeBron Comments, New Lakers Role
Though he spent limited time with James while the 40-year-old was recovering from injury, he made it clear that it was a unique experience. But now, the center will have the chance to share the court with James, as well as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
“It was really cool to be able to hoop with him,” Timme added. “To see how he attacked different things, just kind of watching as a fan and a student. I tried to just pick up a couple little things from him.”
Timme initially signed a two-way deal with the Lakers before he was elevated to a full-time role most recently. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the center stood out in his G-League games, enough to get the nod from Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick.
“Timme had averaged 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season for L.A.’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, and has been a standout during practices — including when LeBron James was on a rehabilitation assignment with South Bay,” the insider wrote.
But now on the Lakers’ roster, Timme will likely have an outstretched role whenever he is on the court. Los Angeles is already lacking major frontcourt threats, and with Ayton now out, he’ll have a major defensive responsibility.
Jaxson Hayes Has A Ticking Clock
While the Ayton injury elevated Timme, his absence will also mean a bigger role for Hayes, who was the Lakers’ starting center for much of last season. With Ayton in this year he’s been a backup, but now the pressure will rise on a player who has shown strengths but has been marred by inconsistency.
Writing for LakeShowLife, Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote that Hayes has until his December 15th trade eligibility date to prove his worth for the team.
“The question now is whether Hayes has done enough to secure his spot as the backup center for the Lakers,” he wrote. “If not, the discussion then shifts to what needs to be done for the former lottery pick to say put where he is.”
Rovenchuk described Hayes as ‘serviceable‘ but added that he isn’t the team’s best option at the center position. In 13 appearances so far, the former Texas star is averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 72.5% shooting in 16.8 minutes per game. He’s been somewhat limited behind Ayton, and though efficient, doesn’t offer anything more than most of the backup big men across the league.
It’s unknown as to when Ayton will return, and with Timme now on the roster, the expectations for Hayes will rise. The Lakers should also never be ruled out for making a lineup-altering trade, and if necessary, Pelinka has proven to be unforgiving when it comes to moving away from underperforming players.
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