Did LeBron James Push for Drew Timme Signing? Inside the Lakers’ Roster Move After DeAndre Ayton Injury

A sudden riposte after Ayton’s injury

When DeAndre Ayton exited the Lakers’ recent game against the Utah Jazz due to a right knee contusion, the frontcourt depth of the Los Angeles Lakers took an abrupt hit. The team confirmed Ayton would miss the next game.

In an almost immediate response, the Lakers acted swiftly. On the same Monday, they signed 6 foot 10 forward Drew Timme to a two way contract, officially waiving longtime backup big man Christian Koloko to make room.

Timme’s invitation up from the G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, was not a random accident. According to multiple reports, his performance both in games and in recent practices, especially during a stretch when LeBron James spent part of his return to play process down at South Bay, turned heads around the organization.

That sequence has led many to wonder: did LeBron have a hand in pushing for Timme's call up?

Was this LeBron’s doing or just good timing? LeBron’s rehab stint in the G League

Before returning to Lakers’ main roster, LeBron spent time in the G League, not just for conditioning, but to get reps as part of his recovery. Sources say it provided him and the Lakers organization a closer look at South Bay players.

During that period, whispers around the organization about a potential roster spot picked up. League insider Dan Woike noted that interest in Timme “really picked up steam” after LeBron’s time with South Bay.

That interest led directly to the Lakers waiving Koloko and creating room for Timme, a move that came just as Ayton’s health became uncertain.

LeBron’s influence still strong even if unofficial

Although there is no confirmed statement that LeBron demanded Timme’s call up, his reputation within the team and the timing of events fuel speculation. Many view him as a “player executive hybrid,” sometimes referred to as “LeGM,” thanks to his influence over roster moves.

Despite that reputation, some sources note that the front office is not formally consulting LeBron for every decision this season, indicating his influence may be more organic than procedural.

Hence, while direct causality cannot be established, the circumstantial evidence makes a convincing case that LeBron’s presence in the G League and what he saw there played a significant role in Timme’s promotion.

Who is Drew Timme and what he adds to Lakers’ frontcourt

Timme, 25, was once a standout at the collegiate level with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, becoming their all time leading scorer in four seasons and earning two West Coast Conference Player of the Year awards.

Undrafted in 2023, he fought his way into professional basketball, spending time in the G League before briefly joining the Brooklyn Nets, where he played nine games and averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

This season, with the South Bay Lakers, he’s exploded, averaging 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His skill set, soft hands in the post, reliable mid range jumper, offensive versatility, makes him an intriguing two way bet for Los Angeles.

In practice sessions, especially alongside LeBron, Timme reportedly impressed coaches and staff with his footwork, positioning, and ability to contribute across multiple aspects.

While he isn’t a traditional rim protecting center, his block numbers in the G League are modest, he offers hustle, defensive activity including steals, offensive spacing, and a forward looking profile that could fit a modern Lakers frontcourt if coached right.

Lakers’ frontcourt reshaped: what Timme’s arrival means now

Koloko cut as a formality

Christian Koloko’s waiver freed up the two way slot for Timme. Koloko had limited playing time this season, only six minutes across two games, and with Ayton sidelined, Lakers management deemed it more useful to invest in someone with higher upside.

Short term patch, long term experiment

With Ayton’s injury, the Lakers needed immediate depth. Timme gives them a body that can contribute, though not necessarily replicate Ayton’s rebounding or rim protection.

Given his offensive tools and ability to stretch the floor, Timme represents a different kind of frontcourt asset, one more oriented toward floor spacing, movement, and offensive fluidity than traditional big man defense. Given the evolving nature of NBA frontcourts, that profile might be useful for the Lakers in certain matchups or smaller lineup packages.

G League NBA connection getting real

Timme’s promotion underscores the increasingly tight link between Lakers’ G League development and the main roster. The fact that LeBron’s rehab assignment with South Bay played into this trajectory gives the two way program more credibility: performing well there can indeed lead to NBA opportunity.

It also sends a message to other young players: good performances in South Bay won’t go unnoticed, especially if NBA veterans stop by and observe firsthand.

Could this spark a new frontcourt identity for Lakers?

The Lakers’ decision to call up Timme could have deeper strategic implications beyond just plugging a hole. This move may indicate a lean toward versatility, spacing and offense, blending size with skill rather than relying strictly on traditional big men roles.

With the modern NBA’s shift toward floor spacing and multi positional lineups, Timme’s ability to shoot, handle the ball, and operate in varied offensive sets could help LA experiment with lineups that maximize their scoring potential.

If Timme proves himself defensively competent and adjusts to NBA level speed and physicality, the Lakers could gradually integrate him more, especially as a complement to starters and more traditional bigs like Ayton when healthy.

Moreover, the fact that the Lakers acted quickly suggests confidence not only in Timme’s talent but in their developmental infrastructure. Their willingness to give him a two way deal now, instead of waiting for more G League seasoning, signals they believe he’s ready for meaningful minutes.

The bigger context: LeBron’s ever evolving role in Lakers’ roster decisions

Though the front office line holds that LeBron is not officially consulted on every move this season, his personal involvement with South Bay seems to have blurred those boundaries. The timing of the signing, directly after his rehab stint, speaks volumes.

That phenomenon reflects a broader trend in which veteran superstars exert influence not just through play, but through mentorship and informal input. In some ways, LeBron remains a guiding voice and talent spotter, quietly shaping roster construction even without formal authority.

This dynamic also provides value for younger players. For someone like Timme, being seen playing alongside a legend, even in a G League practice, can be a major factor in earning a shot in the league.

For the Lakers front office, leveraging that influence without compromising organizational control might become an increasingly common tactic. As other teams build around superstar veterans and two way programs, LA’s approach could serve as a blueprint.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to call up Drew Timme signals much more than a quick fix for DeAndre Ayton’s injury. It reflects a confluence of opportunity, timing, and subtle influence, perhaps from LeBron James himself.

Timme arrives with momentum, undeniable talent, and a chance to stake a real claim. Whether he remains a rotational piece or evolves into something more depends on how well he acclimates to NBA demands, embraces team schemes, and earns trust from coaching staff.

For Lakers fans and NBA watchers, this roster move may be a small chapter, but it carries potential significance. It demonstrates the evolving role of two way contracts, the influence veteran stars can wield, and the ever shifting philosophy around modern frontcourt construction.

If Timme thrives, this could mark the beginning of a subtle but meaningful transformation in how the Lakers build their roster: blending youth, upside, and adaptability, while relying on the experience and quiet leadership of their established stars.