Drew Timme’s impressive showing with the Brooklyn Nets’ Summer League team has generated optimism about his potential role in the NBA next season. Through early summer games, Timme showcased his scoring ability and versatility, quickly becoming a focal point for fans and analysts eager to see how his skills might fit into the Nets’ roster moving forward.
Timme, who averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds over nine games at the end of last NBA season, recognizes the competitive nature of securing a spot on the Brooklyn team. Despite early success, he remains focused on proving his worth day by day as the roster situation evolves. His dedication is underscored by his remarks after a standout 30-point performance against the Washington Wizards.
No, not really. I’m honestly [still fighting],
Timme said.
I mean, it’s great and I love it, but I’m fighting. I’m competing. I want to stay here. I think I belong here, and I’ve got to prove it every single day that I do belong here.
So it’s all about just fighting that battle every single day. And I like it. I like being the underdog. I like having to force my way into a situation. So, it’s fun.
Fan and Analyst Support Grows with Eye-Catching Plays
Timme’s performances this summer have not only impressed fans at the Thomas & Mack Center, who enthusiastically chanted “MVP” when he came through in clutch moments, but also resonated with former NBA players and commentators. Kendrick Perkins and Fran Fraschilla took to social media to commend Timme’s display against the Wizards, with Perkins calling for Timme to receive consistent rotation minutes.
Among the most memorable moments was a highlight-reel dunk over Washington’s seven-foot center Alex Sarr. Timme’s involvement began with a slick behind-the-back, through-the-legs pass before finishing an aggressive drive that energized the crowd and showcased his basketball IQ, a trait the Nets organization highly values.
I’m not gonna lie, I did not know I made it. It’s not really what I’m known for. But I get up every now and then, and everyone was like, ‘Oh!’ I was like, ‘s—, did I make that?’
Timme recalled with a laugh.
And then I was like, ‘OK, OK.’ So, it was a fun surprise I guess.
High Basketball IQ and Leadership Qualities Impress Nets Staff
The Nets coaching staff has expressed confidence in Timme’s leadership and adaptability, relying on his experience to anchor the young and inexperienced roster. Steve Hetzel, the assistant coach overseeing Summer League, described Timme as “the rock” for the team, tasked with guiding fellow rookies and stabilizing the offense.
Timme’s ability to command the ball and make smart decisions has helped the Nets integrate their draft picks, including four of their five rookies, effectively during Summer League competition. When asked about the coaching approach, Timme shared:
Yeah, they said be Drew Timme,
he explained.
And every day Jordi’s telling me to get up 10 3s a game. I’ve never been known to get up 10 3s in a game, but I tried my best [Sunday]. I think I got like five or six up.
So, to have a staff — and especially the boss man — have that much confidence in you, it really helps. And it’s something that I’ve been working on every day and trying to add to my game. And when you have a guy like that really pushing for it … it makes it easier, you know?
Rookie Egor Demin Praises Timme’s Impact and Work Ethic
Egor Demin, Brooklyn’s first lottery pick in 15 years, has been vocal about Timme’s influence on and off the court. Demin described Timme as “an amazing player” and emphasized the respect his teammates have for his all-around contributions.
That’s a great, great, great experience to have a guy like that on my team…well, be on his team, I would say. Again, I’m just hearing more stories now from people who know him from Gonzaga, being annoyingly good. And right now, those two games, he’s annoyingly good, I would say that.
Timme’s reputation for being “annoyingly good” reflects his detailed understanding of the paint and his ability to create scoring opportunities in tight spaces. His collegiate career at Gonzaga was marked by tremendous success, including three consensus All-American nods, first-team honors as a senior, and the prestigious Karl Malone Award as the nation’s top power forward in 2023. He was also a key player in Gonzaga’s near-perfect 31-0 season that ended at the national championship game.
Overcoming Doubts and Adjusting to NBA Realities
Despite outstanding college credentials, Timme went undrafted, a fact that shaped the early narrative around his professional prospects. This summer, he appreciates the shift in perception and the recognition of his ability to compete at the NBA level.
Man, that’s super cool,
Timme stated.
Especially from a guy who’s played that long and been around the block. You know, that’s super cool. And that’s what I’m trying to get to. That’s the dream and that’s the goal.
That hasn’t quite been the narrative since I left college, that I can play in the league and deserve a spot or whatever. So, the kind of sudden narrative change, it’s good because you’ve seen what people say about you earlier. And then now to see that narrative kind of flip, man, it’s pretty cool. And I’m just grateful for it.
Roster Challenges: Finding Timme’s Role on the Nets
Even if Timme secures a place on the regular season roster, the Brooklyn Nets face difficult decisions regarding his position and playing time. With a strong commitment to Nic Claxton as their starting center and Day’Ron Sharpe expected to contribute significant minutes, Timme’s natural fit at power forward remains an unresolved question. The position is complicated further by the presence of Noah Clowney, still developing his skills; Michael Porter Jr., who is more suited as a tall small forward; and Cam Thomas and Jalen Wilson, who have their own roster implications.
At 6-foot-10, 235 pounds, Timme is likely a more natural fit at power forward, which remains a position of uncertainty for the Nets. Noah Clowney needs plenty of development, Michael Porter Jr. is probably better-served as a tall small forward and Wolf seems almost certain to spend time with G League Long Island.
Timme’s Role as a Veteran Presence in a Young Brooklyn Team
Summer League coach Steve Hetzel emphasized the trust placed in Timme as a veteran in a roster filled with youthful talent. His prior experience in the G League and late-season NBA appearances position him as a stabilizing presence on the court.
Yeah, we asked him to be the rock, the leader, that the ball would go through him, to be the steadying force,
Hetzel explained.
A lot of these guys have never played against NBA competition. He’s played in the G League the last couple of years. So, he’s gotten those reps. He played with us at the end of the year. So yeah, we put a lot on his shoulders.
Timme’s Journey from Undrafted Prospect to G League All-Star
Timme’s path has been marked by resilience. After going undrafted, he joined the Wisconsin Herd in the G League but suffered a broken left foot requiring surgery. A subsequent cut by the Sacramento Kings and time with their G League team in Stockton left him fighting for a break until the Nets acquired him via trade. Since then, his scoring average surged from 11.9 to 23.9 points per game, and his three-point shooting percentage rose sharply from 12.5% to 38.5%, earning him a spot on the All G League second team.
Potential for Timme to Join Nets’ Summer League MVP Ranks
The Brooklyn Nets have seen two players win Summer League MVP honors recently—Cam Thomas and Jalen Wilson—and while Timme’s breakout has NBA observers intrigued, team success will be a key factor. Securing the MVP award would be significant but, for Timme, the larger prize lies in earning a consistent NBA opportunity as the next season approaches.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Drew Timme’s salary?
A. Drew Timme agreed to a two-year contract worth $2,068,432 with the Brooklyn Nets. It includes $113,055 guaranteed and an average yearly pay of $1,034,216. In the 2025-26 season, Timme will have a base salary of $1,955,377, which will also be his cap hit that year.