The Los Angeles Lakers have once again turned to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, as a key part of their development pipeline, giving valuable minutes to players on the fringes of the NBA roster.
During a recent back-to-back road set against the Texas Legends on Friday and Saturday, two-way players Drew Timme and Chris Manon were both heavily involved, alongside rookie Adou Thiero and NBA assignee Bronny James.
Timme, in particular, continued his outstanding run of form. His consistent all-around production has established him as one of the G League’s most impactful frontcourt players, a rise that initially earned him a two-way contract with Los Angeles back in November.
Lakers Two-Way Standout Continues Dominant G League Stretch
In the opening game against Texas, Timme led South Bay with 25 points in 29 minutes, shooting an efficient 11-of-20 from the field and knocking down a three-pointer to highlight his offensive versatility.
Beyond his scoring, the 25-year-old made his presence felt across the floor, adding eight rebounds, including three offensive boards, along with four assists and one block as South Bay secured a commanding 127-105 victory.
Just 24 hours later , Timme delivered another strong performance, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one block in South Bay’s 104-99 win to complete the sweep.
In the second contest, the 6-foot-9 forward-center shot 9-of-17 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line across 35 minutes. He also grabbed four offensive rebounds, bringing his total to seven across the two-game stretch.
Through 15 G League appearances this season, he is averaging 24.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 52.5% from the field and 26.3% from three-point range.
His scoring average ranks 14th overall in the league, while his assist numbers rank fourth among power forwards. That level of consistent production has strengthened the belief that Timme is ready for a more extended opportunity at the NBA level.
Lakers Continue Evaluating Timme as Calls Grow for Expanded NBA Role
Timme has already shown flashes of his ability in NBA action this season.
His breakout performance came on January 17 against the Portland Trail Blazers , when he scored 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting and connected on three three-pointers, showcasing the offensive versatility that fits well within today’s NBA.
He followed that with another encouraging outing prior to the All-Star break, scoring 14 points in 20 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs while the Lakers rested Luka Doncic , LeBron James , Austin Reaves , Deandre Ayton , and Marcus Smart .
His performances have not gone unnoticed, including praise from James himself.
“He’s a smart basketball player,” the Lakers superstar said earlier in the season . “He knows how to play the game. And his IQ correlates to this level. So it’s great to see that the coaches have believed in him over the last three games and he’s shown what he’s capable of doing.”
Despite his success, the Lakers have continued to assign Timme to South Bay, a move that likely reflects careful management of his two-way contract eligibility.
Two-way players can only be active for 50 NBA games per season, with Timme currently at 21 and eligible for a pro-rated 40 games, according to Spotrac .
While Timme lacks traditional center size and elite athleticism, his production has consistently outweighed those concerns. His offensive skill set, basketball IQ, and versatility have made him one of the Lakers’ most intriguing developmental pieces.
Now in his third professional season after going undrafted in 2023, Timme is nearing the end of his two-way contract eligibility.
Beginning next season, he would no longer qualify for a two-way deal, placing his long-term future with the Lakers into uncertainty beyond the current campaign.
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