The Timberwolves’ latest center decision could wind up mattering far beyond Minnesota.
According to Michael Scotto, Drew Timme is competing for one of the Timberwolves’ final roster spots, and that puts a familiar big man on the radar for the 76ers as they sort through their own frontcourt picture this fall. Minnesota also added former Philadelphia 76ers forward KJ Martin heading into the weekend, giving him another shot in the league, but it’s Timme’s situation that should have Philadelphia watching most closely.
The Sixers are already sorting out their backup center battle behind Joel Embiid. Andre Drummond is gone to the New York Knicks, and Johni Broome was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving Adem Bona and first-year Sixer Ariel Hukporti to fight for the spot. Both are expected to make the roster.
That doesn’t mean the big-man competition ends there. Tacko Fall will be in camp on a non-guaranteed deal, and Philadelphia also has internal candidates for its third and final two-way slot, which should go to a big for added depth. Even so, Fall is no lock, and the Sixers are expected to keep an eye on preseason developments around the league.
Timme fits that watch list.
The 26-year-old has been in the NBA since 2024 after a strong run at Gonzaga from 2019 to 2023, where he went undrafted before working his way through the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, Stockton Kings and Long Island Nets. He appeared in nine games for the Brooklyn Nets in 2025, then signed with the South Bay Lakers before landing a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Last season, Timme played in 27 games for the Lakers and averaged 8.7 minutes per night. He put up 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 57.6% from the field and 44.0% from three.
There’s also a loose LeBron James connection worth noting. James is familiar with Timme’s game and has been complimentary of him in the past, even if he’s unlikely to be pushing for any specific two-way addition.
For now, Timme is trying to carve out a place in Minnesota. The Timberwolves list Rudy Gobert as the starter, with Joan Beringer the only other center on a guaranteed salary and Rocco Zikarsky occupying one of the three two-way spots. That leaves Timme with an uphill climb, but also another chance to show what he can do in a new setting away from Los Angeles.
And for the 76ers, that’s exactly the kind of name worth tracking.
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