The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t done as well drafting at the top of the NBA Draft, but they’ve managed to find several gems either in the second round or in undrafted free agency.
Famous Lakers success stories include Austin Reaves, Alex Caruso and Ivica Zubac, though they can also claims wins with Max Christie, Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr. and Josh Hart. The scouting department, formerly led by Jesse Buss, deserves its credit for finding so many NBA-level players, but the organization still lacks young talent that they can confidently say is part of their long-term future.
In recent years, the Lakers have done well taking fliers on players through their G League affiliate the South Bay Lakers. Recently, Drew Timme earned G League Player of the Week in his first week with South Bay and that seemed to give the organization enough confidence to sign him to a two-way contract while waiving Christian Koloko to make space, via Shams Charania of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing center Drew Timme to a two-way NBA deal from their South Bay team, agents Deddrick Faison and Rich Gray tell ESPN. Timme played for the Nets to finish last season and then joined Lakers' G League, averaging 25.5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists. pic.twitter.com/c3COTc8tl3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 25, 2025
The Lakers are waiving center Christian Koloko to create roster space for Timme, sources said. https://t.co/X6LCmeXx4D
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 25, 2025
Waiving Koloko made the most sense as the young center failed to make a lasting impact with the Lakers despite several opportunities to do so over the last couple of seasons. At this juncture, Timme is a much more intriguing bet to be a contributor for the parent team because of his combination of size, skill and shooting.
Timme averaged 30 points, seven rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in his first week with South Bay and while he won’t be asked to produce like that for the Lakers, it speaks to his ability that he can dominate G League competition. Timme comes in more experienced than most two-way players as he spent the end of last season with the Brooklyn Nets and averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in nine games.
As of now, head coach JJ Redick seems content with his center rotation of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, but Timme could mix in on nights where the team is shorthanded, especially with Ayton recently suffering a knee contusion. It’s a low-risk, high-reward signing that has the potential to pay off long-term for L.A.
Because of when the Lakers are signing Timme, he will be eligible to suit up in 40 games for the Lakers and would need to be upgraded to a standard contract to play in the postseason.
Having LeBron James at practice was unbelievable experience for South Bay Lakers
LeBron James was able to return to the Lakers lineup and part of his return-to-play process included a practice with the South Bay Lakers. South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie called it an unbelievable experience to have James practice with the G League affiliate and believes the group can learn a lot from him.
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