Lakers rule out Deandre Ayton, sign Drew Timme to 2-way deal

The Los Angeles Lakers added a new big man on Monday, as the team prepares to be without starting center Deandre Ayton for the immediate future.

Ayton, who sat out L.A.’s 108-106 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday and did not return with a right knee injury, has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game against the L.A. Clippers, the team announced.

Earlier on Monday evening, the Lakers signed 6-foot-10 big man Drew Timm to a two-way contract, his agents Dedrick Faison and Rich Gray told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Sources tell ESPN that Tim has averaged 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists this season for LA’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, and has been standout during practice – which included LeBron James being on a rehab assignment with South Bay.

Timme signed with the Brooklyn Nets in March after playing for the Stockton Kings of the G League. He finished the season averaging 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in nine games with Brooklyn, making two starts.

The 25-year-old was outstanding in college as a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Gonzaga’s all-time leading scorer with 2,307 points in four seasons.

Timme went undrafted in 2023 and made his professional debut for the Wisconsin Herd of the G League in 2023–24 after signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Milwaukee Bucks to attend their training camp.

The Lakers waived center Christian Koloko to create two-way vacancy for Timme, sources told ESPN.