Would Gonzaga's Drew Timme be a good fit for the Lakers?
The 2023 NBA Draft is on Thursday and Drew Timme’s name is nowhere to be found on most mock drafts.
That's noteworthy for a player who was a three-time All-American and last season's CBS National Player of the Year at Gonzaga.
But while Timme's dominance in college is not expected to translate to the NBA, it's possible he still gets an opportunity to showcase his talent.
Here are some potential landing spots for Timme:
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers hosted Timme and five other prospects in a predraft workout on Monday, hinting at a potential fit for Gonzaga’s all-time leading scorer in the City of Angels.
With Los Angeles hoping to make another run at the NBA Finals, adding an experienced big man like Timme makes sense. Timme would also bolster the team's frontcourt depth, which is mostly nonexistent behind Anthony Davis.
Adjusting to the Lakers' fast-paced offense would not be a problem for Timme, who played in a transition-heavy scheme at Gonzaga. Los Angeles ranked fourth in the NBA in pace of play, while Gonzaga was 39th in college basketball last season.
The concern that Timme is not athletic enough for the NBA could be resolved by the talent around him on the Lakers. Playing alongside switchable defenders like Davis, Lebron James, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt would help cover for Timme's lack of lateral quickness and shot-blocking skills.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
The Kings went from a 16-year lottery team to third place in the Western Conference standings and the difference was an offensive-minded former Gonzaga big man.
Timme is not Domantas Sabonis, but both players powered the highest-scoring offenses in their respective leagues.
Watching Sabonis initiate dribble handoffs and other actions for Sacramento felt similar to what Timme did at Gonzaga, where he was involved in nearly every possession. Timme was frequently asked to create offense for the Zags, especially when things fell apart and the shot clock was ticking down.
Adding Timme would allow the Kings to keep a playmaking, post-scoring big man on the court while resting Sabonis, who averaged a team-high 34.6 minutes last season.
In an ideal situation, Timme would play alongside an above-average shot-blocker, something Sacramento did not have last season. The Kings ranked 24th in defensive rating and 26th in opponents' points in the paint.
Timme, who was measured at 6-foot-8 at the NBA Draft Combine, often relied on frontcourt mate Anton Watson to handle tougher defensive assignments. The Zags were 73rd in adjusted defensive efficiency by KenPom in 2022-23.
While defending at the NBA level will prove an adjustment for Timme, he offers the Kings a chance to double down on being the league’s most prolific offense.
ATLANTA HAWKS
After working out for the Hawks on June 5, Timme is assumed to be among the list of prospects being considered by general manager Landry Fields.
Atlanta owns the 15th and 46th overall picks, but could also snag Timme in a summer league deal or a two-way contract.
Timme's experience in a pick-and-roll heavy offense makes him an intriguing option for the Hawks, who topped the NBA in their frequency of using a pick-and-roll ball handler last season.
Trae Young, Atlanta's primary facilitator, has developed a strong pick-and-roll connection with Clint Capela, John Collins and several others. If Young can build the same kind of chemistry with Timme, the Hawks would have another roll man to get production from.
