Down nine early in the second quarter in Denver, the Lakers turned to a bench unit that’s struggled to produce all season. But this time, something clicked - and that something was Drew Timme.
The two-way center, fresh off a strong stretch of G League play, checked in alongside Deandre Ayton in a new-look frontcourt pairing that might be exactly what head coach J.J. Redick has been searching for.
Timme wasted no time making his presence felt. First, he knocked down a relocation three off a LeBron James assist - a confident stroke that showed his expanded range.
Moments later, he sprinted the floor, sealed his defender under the rim, and finished an and-one off a full-court pass. It was the kind of spark the Lakers have been desperate for from their second unit.
That energy helped fuel a momentum-shifting run and, more importantly, opened the door to a lineup configuration that’s quietly gaining traction: the jumbo look with Timme and Ayton sharing the floor.
“Just impact the game,” Timme said after a recent win over the Raptors. “Whether it’s creating mismatches or getting open shots - just playing hard.
Obviously, it’d be nice to score 20 every night, but that’s not realistic. You’ve got to be adaptable and find a way to make an impact.”
That adaptability has been key to Timme’s rise. After going undrafted despite a standout college career at Gonzaga, he’s been grinding in the G League, first with Stockton, now with South Bay.
One of the biggest changes? His willingness to stretch the floor.
Last season, he barely attempted threes - just 1.2 per game. This year, he’s firing up five per night, and that confidence has carried over into his NBA minutes.
Redick has leaned into that growth by shifting Timme from his traditional center role into more of a stretch four. It’s a role the team had hoped Maxi Kleber could fill consistently, but with Kleber struggling to stay healthy and effective, Timme has stepped in - and stepped up.
Watch the film, and it’s clear Timme is growing into the job. In one possession, Luka Doncic initiates the Lakers’ “77” action - a double on-ball screen.
Timme sets the first pick, flips to re-screen, then pops out to the arc while Ayton rolls to the rim. It’s clean, it’s smart, and it’s the kind of two-man synergy that opens up the floor.
The Lakers have been hunting for offense off the bench, especially with Austin Reaves sidelined. That’s meant opportunities for young scoring guards like Nick Smith Jr. and Kobe Bufkin, both of whom have flashed but haven’t fully stabilized the unit. Timme, meanwhile, has shown he can create his own look when needed - including in a one-on-one post-up against Tim Hardaway Jr., where he calmly backed down the smaller defender and finished with a smooth finger roll.
Redick has taken notice.
“The jumbo lineup to start the second quarter has been really impactful for us,” the coach said. “With [Ayton], you’ve got to make a decision.
A lot of teams will put their five on Vando. But with [Ayton], he can punish smaller players.
Timme can punish smaller players.”
Those “jumbo” lineups - usually featuring Timme, Ayton, and LeBron - have shown promise in a small sample, posting a +9.3 net rating. It’s early, but the chemistry is there.
Of course, Timme isn’t locking anyone down defensively. He lacks the lateral quickness to switch onto guards or cover ground in space.
But the Lakers have found ways to work around it, mixing in more zone looks to hide his limitations. The results have been mixed, but there’s potential - especially when Timme uses his size and instincts to help on the glass.
When Ayton gets pulled out to the perimeter, Timme has shown he can crash down and secure boards, giving the defense a fighting chance.
For now, Timme remains on a two-way contract. His NBA minutes are capped unless the Lakers convert him to a standard deal. But if this two-big lineup continues to produce - and if Timme keeps making the most of his opportunities - that decision might come sooner rather than later.
“I see it and it’s fuel,” Timme said. “At the end of the day, I’m a good player.
I believe in myself and my abilities, and I believe I can impact the game at any level, anywhere. Just carrying that belief with me helps push me on days where maybe I’m not as motivated.
But it’s great to have this opportunity and to be able to help the team - it’s great.”
The Lakers may have stumbled into something here. A two-big lineup that actually works.
A bench contributor who brings energy, spacing, and toughness. And a player who's proving he belongs - one possession at a time.