Lakers Expected to Sign Drew Timme to Two-Way Deal After Strong G League Run

The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing to fine-tune the back end of their roster as they settle into the early stretch of the season. With the team now healthy and fully intact after the returns of LeBron James and Gabe Vincent, Los Angeles is shifting its developmental focus and preparing to reward one of South Bay’s biggest standouts.

According to reporting from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the franchise is working toward promoting forward Drew Timme to a two-way contract, giving him the opportunity to contribute at the NBA level while remaining eligible to play for the South Bay Lakers.

A roster shuffle opens the door

With the main rotation crowded and minutes at a premium, the team recently assigned Bronny James and rookie Adou Thiero to South Bay, where both can take on larger roles and more consistent court time. Those moves created space for Los Angeles to reshape its two-way slots — and Timme has made himself impossible to ignore.

Timme dominating G League competition

Timme, 25, has wasted no time proving himself as one of the most productive players in the G League. The 6’9 forward was recently named G League Player of the Week and is averaging:

• 30.0 points
• 7.0 rebounds
• 4.7 assists per game

His production reflects the polished interior game he developed across four college seasons at Gonzaga, where he averaged:

• 21.2 points
• 61.6% shooting
• 7.5 rebounds
• 3.2 assists
• 1.0 block

Although he went undrafted in 2023, Timme has continued to show the same mix of skilled post scoring, advanced footwork, and high-IQ passing that made him a star in the NCAA.

Why Timme fits the Lakers’ needs

Los Angeles already has a strong foundation built around LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves, but second-apron teams must rely on inexpensive depth and internal development to navigate an 82-game season.

Timme offers:

• A reliable half-court scoring option
• Above-average passing for a frontcourt player
• Court awareness and decision-making that complement star-driven lineups
• Insurance for injuries, rest nights, or matchup-specific needs

Even if he does not earn an immediate rotation role, having a productive, system-ready big man in the pipeline is a meaningful asset for the Lakers.

A smart long-term investment

Two-way moves rarely define a season, but they can elevate roster flexibility and talent pipelines — both crucial for a contender operating under a restrictive salary environment.

If Timme continues to play at this level, he could become one of the next internal success stories in a Lakers system increasingly focused on developing affordable contributors.