LA Lakers Roster Depth: Luka Doncic Gets Crucial Boost as Drew Timme Lands Two-Way Spot With Purple & Gold

The LA Lakers roster has a diverse frontline that includes traditional big men Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, as well as sweet-shooting Maxi Kleber and Jake LaRavia. Perhaps wanting to have more options in the long haul, the Lakers are reportedly signing another towering athlete to give Luka Doncic more options to swing the ball to.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Lakers are promoting 6-foot-10 forward/center Drew Timme of the South Bay Lakers to a two-way contract.

Legion Hoops

@LegionHoops

The Lakers are signing Drew Timme, per @BrettSiegelNBA

A Dallas native, Timme spent four seasons at Gonzaga where he averaged 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in his senior year. His collegiate accolades include one first-team All-American selection and two second-term All-American nods, as well as the Karl Malone Award given to the top power forward of the year.

After going undrafted in 2023, Timme began competing for various G League teams, such as the Wisconsin Herd, the Stockton Kings, and the Long Island Nets. In March 2025, he got his first taste of NBA action when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets.

However, prior to the 2025-26 season, Timme was waived by Brooklyn, leading to a G League stint with the South Bay Lakers. In four games with the LA Lakers affiliate this year, Timme is averaging 28.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and 4.5 apg.

Notably, Timme is also averaging 6.3 attempts from beyond the arc in his time with South Bay. Though he is making just 24.0% of his three-point shots, it's evident that he is trying to add a new dimension to his game. If Timme sharpens his outside shooting, head coach JJ Redick could consider giving him spot minutes on certain occasions.

LA Lakers Roster Depth: Drew Timme's Presence Could Lead To Waiver Of One Current Player

Siegel added that, for the Lakers to make room for Timme, the team might have to waive one of the players on their lineup.

"The Lakers are in the process of finalizing a two-way contract with Drew Timme, league sources told @ClutchPoints," Siegel tweeted on Friday. "LA won’t be cutting Nick Smith Jr., so they will need to waive either Christian Koloko or Chris Manon to sign Timme."

Brett Siegel

@BrettSiegelNBA

The Lakers are in the process of finalizing a two-way contract with Drew Timme, league sources told @ClutchPoints. LA won’t be cutting Nick Smith Jr., so they will need to waive either Christian Koloko or Chris Manon to sign Timme.

Koloko (a center from Cameroon) and Manon (a combo guard from Vanderbilt) are both on two-way contracts this season.