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Lakers head coach JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, arrive for press conference
The Los Angeles Lakers signed exciting young player Drew Timme to a two-way contract on Monday, calling up the 25-year-old center from the G League’s South Bay Lakers. Unfortunately, a clause in the CBA prevents the Lakers from keeping Timme on the roster for the entire 2025-26 season.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Timme will be available to the Lakers for only 40 games and will need to represent the South Bay Lakers for the remainder of the season. Typically, two-way players are eligible to appear in up to 50 games, but since the Lakers have already played 16 contests, they are not permitted to extend Timme’s availability.
“The Lakers will be allowed to put Timme on the active roster for 40 games,” Marks reported on X, shortly after the Lakers waived Christian Koloko to sign Timme.
For Timme to become a full-time roster member, the Lakers would need to waive either rookie Adou Thiero or Nick Smith Jr. to create a spot and sign him to an NBA deal.
A Backup for Deandre Ayton
The Lakers called up Timme from the G League just a day after starting center Deandre Ayton left Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz with a right knee contusion. Ayton has already been ruled out of Tuesday’s NBA Cup fixture against the LA Clippers.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers are likely preparing for life without Ayton for the immediate future and feel Timme can be a solid backup. His report added that Timme was “a standout” in Lakers practice sessions — including when LeBron James was assigned to the South Bay Lakers during his rehab.
“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, sources told ESPN.
“Timme signed with the Brooklyn Nets in March after playing for the G League’s Stockton Kings. He averaged 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in nine games to close out the season with Brooklyn, making two starts.”
Kleber, Hayes to Hold Fort
One of the surprises of Sunday’s win over the Jazz was the performance of Maxi Kleber, who produced 14 valuable minutes after Ayton left the game. Jaxson Hayes give JJ Redick another 18 minutes to fill the void left at the center spot.
After the game, Austin Reaves was all praise for Kleber.
“I told him [Sunday], I was like, ‘I know you think I’m messing with you every time I talk to you,’ but he was one of the best players on the floor for us tonight. Just energy, effort, winning plays,” Reaves said of Kleber, via McMenamin.
The plays he made, it’s not easy to do. Sitting the whole first half and then coming out there, doing what he did. So, you tip your hat to guys like that. You want to see them succeed.”
Dave McMenamin
“I told him today, I was like, ‘I know you think I’m messing with you every time I talk to you,’ but he was one of the best players on the floor for us tonight.” – Austin Reaves on Maxi Kleber’s contributions after Deandre Ayton went out
In Kleber, Hayes and Timme, the Lakers may have just enough firepower to hold the fort at the center spot until Ayton’s return. LeBron James, who played a lot of small-ball five last season, could also serve as a stopgap arrangement.