Tim will use his summer league time to strengthen his chances of making an NBA roster with the Kings. Originally published on NBC Sports Bay Area
Drew Timme is doing everything he can to make the Kings' regular-season roster, but it's no easy task.
A three-time All-American, two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Gonzaga's all-time scoring record holder, Timme has benefited from the summer league more than any other player at Sacramento.
Two days after outscoring the Utah Jazz with 19 points in 22 minutes, Timme was solid in Wednesday's 106-105 loss to the New York Knicks in Las Vegas. Timme finished with nine points with three assists, one steal and one block, but he committed four fouls and caused three of Sacramento's 18 turnovers.
“It's easy being on a team that likes to run the ball,” Timme said after Monday's game against the Jazz. “Sometimes I'm good, sometimes other guys are good. It doesn't matter. You just try to play your best every time.”
Despite his size, Tim is great at moving the ball and creating space for his teammates to shoot.
But the 6-foot-10 power forward went undrafted coming out of college in 2023. He spent last season with the Milwaukee Bucks' G League team and also dealt with a foot injury.
Now healthy, Timme is once again looking to join an NBA team, this time in Sacramento, but the Kings don't have any pressing need for the big man.
Sacramento already has Domantis Sabonis and Alex Len above him on the depth chart, and while Timme is a more versatile scorer and is bigger than Len, many scouts view Timme as a one-dimensional scorer.
Timme's battle will continue to be an uphill one in a league that is moving away from traditional big man roles.
He looked good against the Knicks, scoring five points early, including a rare 3-pointer, and making a crucial steal from behind in the fourth quarter.
There is still time in Summer League for Timme to increase his value to the Kings, and he believes he could benefit Sacramento if he stays.
“I'm a smart guy who's going to make smart plays,” Timme said when asked to evaluate himself. “I might not have the greatest athleticism or verticality, but I'm going to find a way to make an impact.”