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Coming into this season, Drew Timme was an afterthought for Los Angeles Lakers fans. The 6-foot-10 power forward had appeared in nine games with the Brooklyn Nets and put up 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds a game last season after going undrafted out of Gonzaga University in 2023, and the Lakers' G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, brought him in for this season.
But Timme played well enough early on to earn a two-way contract in late November. Coming into Saturday, he had played in six games for the big-league Lakers, but he only put up minimal numbers in those contests. However, against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, he found himself with a big opportunity, as Los Angeles was without Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.
He got 29 minutes of playing time and shot 9-of-12 overall and 3-of-4 from 3-point range, giving him 21 points. While it may or may not be a true indication of what he's capable of at this level, it is something that can be a big confidence-builder for him.
LeBron James was asked if this game can help Timme play well moving forward and help the team, and he gave a simple response that reflects the reality of the overall situation.
The Lakers will eventually get a lot healthier, and perhaps it will happen soon. While Reaves is at least a couple of weeks away from returning from a gastrocnemius strain, Doncic could return on Sunday, and so could Ayton and Hayes.
That would mean little, if any, playing time for Timme, unless further injuries occur to L.A.'s frontcourt players. But he has averaged 24.3 points a game while shooting over 50% during both the tip-off tournament and regular season in the G League, and those numbers, along with his impressive performance on Saturday, could earn him a chance at an extended future in the league.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: LeBron James agrees Drew Timme can help Lakers — with one caveat
Continue reading...
But Timme played well enough early on to earn a two-way contract in late November. Coming into Saturday, he had played in six games for the big-league Lakers, but he only put up minimal numbers in those contests. However, against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, he found himself with a big opportunity, as Los Angeles was without Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.
He got 29 minutes of playing time and shot 9-of-12 overall and 3-of-4 from 3-point range, giving him 21 points. While it may or may not be a true indication of what he's capable of at this level, it is something that can be a big confidence-builder for him.
LeBron James was asked if this game can help Timme play well moving forward and help the team, and he gave a simple response that reflects the reality of the overall situation.
The Lakers will eventually get a lot healthier, and perhaps it will happen soon. While Reaves is at least a couple of weeks away from returning from a gastrocnemius strain, Doncic could return on Sunday, and so could Ayton and Hayes.
That would mean little, if any, playing time for Timme, unless further injuries occur to L.A.'s frontcourt players. But he has averaged 24.3 points a game while shooting over 50% during both the tip-off tournament and regular season in the G League, and those numbers, along with his impressive performance on Saturday, could earn him a chance at an extended future in the league.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: LeBron James agrees Drew Timme can help Lakers — with one caveat
Continue reading...
