Lakers Fans Question Ayton’s Health After Team Signs Drew Timme to Two-Way Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers continued to reshape their depth chart, officially signing former Gonzaga star Drew Timme to a two-way contract. The move comes as starting center Deandre Ayton deals with a knee injury, raising eyebrows across the fanbase and generating speculation about the team’s short-term plans at the position.

Timme replaces Christian Koloko, who appeared in just two games this season before being released. Koloko’s limited offensive versatility and similarity in play style to Ayton and Jaxson Hayes made it difficult for him to carve out a larger role.

A new look at center

While listed at 6-foot-9 and slightly undersized compared to the traditional NBA center, Timme offers a different skill profile from the other big men on the roster. Known for his polished offensive game, Timme can:

• Score in the post,
• Work as a pick-and-roll creator,
• Knock down shots inside and outside the paint,
• Facilitate effectively from the elbow.

In just six G League appearances for South Bay, the 25-year-old averaged:

• 25.5 points
• 7.7 rebounds
• 4.0 assists
• 1.2 steals
• 51.5% shooting, including 33.3% from three on five attempts per game

These numbers caught the Lakers’ attention, especially with Ayton temporarily sidelined.

Fans react with concern

The timing of the signing sparked immediate reaction online, with many Lakers fans questioning whether the move signals a more significant concern about Ayton’s knee. The team has not provided a firm timeline for his return, fueling speculation that the injury may be more serious than initially suggested.

Some fans welcomed the addition of Timme as a fresh option with offensive upside, while others interpreted the move as a red flag regarding the health of the team’s new starting center.

Rotation impact begins Tuesday

According to internal expectations, Timme could see minutes as quickly as Tuesday’s game against the Clippers. With Ayton unavailable, Jaxson Hayes remains the only traditional center, leaving other limited but familiar options:

• Maxi Kleber: reliable but unlikely to play long stretches due to past injuries
• Jarred Vanderbilt: defensive value but limited offensive output

Given the surrounding circumstances, Timme may have a pathway to early rotation minutes, particularly with second units that could benefit from an offensive spark and versatile scoring threat.

If he performs well, the next step could be converting his two-way contract into a standard NBA deal to secure his role moving forward.