The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a sterling start despite early injury adversity. LeBron James has only played two games thus far, and Jake LaRavia is the only Laker to play in all 16 games.
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Despite losing 50 player games to injuries, LA sits in second place in the Western Conference, alongside Denver, at 12-4. The Lakers, who will take a four-game winning streak into their home game against the Clippers on Tuesday, are four games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. While it marks the third straight season the Lakers have won at least 10 games through 16 contests, the 12 victories are the franchise’s second-most since 2015.
The Lakers have recently been at full strength as James made his season debut last week. James has totaled 28 points, on 48% shooting, 20 assists, and nine rebounds in 64 minutes in the two games against Utah. The Lakers outscored the Jazz by an average of 124-116 in the two games. They will take a four-game winning streak in their game against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena tomorrow night.
Speaking of tomorrow night, the Lakers may once again not have their entire roster available. DeAndre Ayton will likely be listed as questionable, at best, after sustaining a right knee contusion in the first half on Sunday and didn’t return in the second half.
“He had gotten hit on his leg in the first half and was kind of limping through it,” coach JJ Redick said last night about Ayton’s injury. “And then couldn’t go in the second half.”
Ayton has been sensational for the Lakers. The 27-year-old has been highly efficient, connecting on nearly 70% of his field goal attempts while averaging almost 16 points and over eight boards per game. He has scored in double-figures in 12 of his 15 appearances, topping the 20-point mark six times, and recorded seven double-doubles. More significantly, he has stabilized the Lakers’ center position.
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Ayton is ranked as the 15th-best center in the league this year. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ centers are No. 7 in the NBA as a unit through the first month of the campaign.
While there is no word on Ayton’s status beyond day-to-day, a knee contusion can linger. Depending on the severity of Ayton’s injury, he could miss as few as one or two games (mild soft tissue injury). If the contusion is a deeper bruise (moderate in severity), Ayton could be out for two to four weeks. Worst-case scenario (severe), he won’t play until 2026 and could miss three months of action.
Ayton has missed one game this season, and Redick started Jaxson Hayes in his place. Hayes took Ayton’s spot at center when the Lakers left the locker room for the second half on Sunday. He finished with five points and four rebounds in 18:10 of action.
In his lone start this year, Hayes tallied 15 points on 7 of 7 shooting as the Lakers defeated the Heat 130-120. Hayes added five rebounds, one block, and one steal in 33 minutes.
Hayes projects to get the start against the Clippers on Tuesday. Maxi Kleber appears to be in line to back up Hayes at least tomorrow. Kleber averages 13 minutes per game over five contests since making his season debut, though he played 25 minutes against Milwaukee on November 15. LaRavia, Rui Haichmura, James, and Christian Koloko figure to fill the remaining time at center.
“I mean, everybody’s got to be ready again,” Redick said. “I don’t want to speculate on DA, but we feel confident that we have enough options.”
Koloko, on a two-way deal, has seen just six minutes in two appearances this year. He saw sparse time in 37 games last year.
Another Option
The Lakers have an open roster spot, but are only $1.1 million from being hard-capped at the first apron. So, if Ayton’s injury is long-term, the Lakers would have to make a trade, sign a free agent to a contract, or wait until later in the season to sign a player to a pro-rated veteran’s minimum contract.
LA does have another option. The Lakers could promote Drew Timme from their G-League team in South Bay to a two-way deal. Converting Timme’s G-League contract to a 2-way deal makes a lot of sense and has been previously suggested by ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel and ESPN Los Angeles Radio Host John Ireland.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Drew Timme joins the Lakers on a two-way contract in the next 48 hours,” Ireland said on the Mason and Ireland ESPN Show.
Drew Timme To Join Lakers?
Timme has NBA experience and has been dominant in his short time with South Bay. In six games with the “Baby” Lakers, Timme averages 25.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals. The 2025 All-NBA G-League Second team performer has scored 20+ points five times and produced two double-doubles while shooting 51.5/33.3/73.3.
Timme is a highly skilled offensive big man with impeccable footwork and an efficient scorer. He is also capable of passing out of the high or low post. However, defense is an issue.
South Bay acquired Timme from the Long Island Nets after Brooklyn released the 6-9 forward at the end of training camp. Timme was productive in his nine-game stint with the Nets last season. The 25-year-old is one of the most decorated college basketball players of this century, though he went undrafted in 2023.
If the Lakers do sign Timme to a two-way deal, they will first have to waive Koloko or Chris Manon to make room. As all three of the Lakers’ minor league spots are accounted for, Nick Smith Jr. is not in any jeopardy of losing his spot. Manon has seen just 7 minutes in 2 games with the Lakers, though he has been productive with South Bay.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported less than 30 minutes ago that the Lakers are indeed signing Timme and waiving Koloko.
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