The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a strong start to the 2025-26 NBA season, with JJ Redick’s squad sporting an impressive 12-4 record while riding a four-game winning streak heading into Tuesday’s NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Even though the Lakers are firing on all cylinders, the team’s front office made a move on Monday to address the frontcourt. The Lakers are signing center Drew Timme, who has been with the G League affiliate South Bay Lakers.
Lakers Add Drew Timme to Frontcourt on Two-Way Contract
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Timme is inking a two-way contract with the parent club after averaging 25.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.5% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the arc in the G League.
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
As a result of the team signing Timme to a two-way deal, the Lakers will waive center Christian Koloko to create a roster spot, according to Charania.
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
Although the Lakers had high hopes for Koloko, bringing him in on a two-way deal last season, he did not really pan out in Los Angeles, as he was a liability on both ends of the floor.
In 39 games Koloko played during his short stint with the Lakers, the Arizona product averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, shooting 60.6% from the field.
With Timme in the fold, the Lakers get a proven scorer who is still relatively young at 25 years old. He’s definitely an upgrade over Koloko and has the potential to crack the rotation if he can make use of the minutes he gets from Redick moving forward.
However, it is uncertain what kind of role the former three-time All-American will play after inking a two-way contract, as he may simply provide some insurance and depth in the frontcourt while rarely seeing the floor.
The Lakers will get back to work on Tuesday, putting their undefeated NBA Cup record (2-0) on the line against Kawhi Leonard and company at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers have really struggled this season, so it’s an ideal situation for Luka Dončić’s squad to win a fifth straight game.
