Kawhi Leonard is a member of the Toronto Raptors again. After days of rumored speculation regarding the two-time NBA champion returning north of the border, the Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers finalized a trade to send the superstar wing back to where he won it all in 2019.
Shams Charania reported: "BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. A return to Canada for the Raptors champion."
There are direct implications here for the Los Angeles Lakers besides for seeing an elite player leave the Western Conference. The Raptors have now been put in a spot where retaining Sandro Mamukelashvili in free agency will be incredibly unlikely.
NBA cap expert Keith Smith explained it will be important to watch for what happens with Leonard's trade bonus. Smith said the Raptors will be in a position to fill out the roster with veteran minimums and be hard-capped by the first apron if Kawhi waives it. That scenario 'likely closes the door' on Mamukelashvili returning to Toronto.
Lakers have an easier path to signing Sandro Mamukelashvili after Kawhi Leonard trade
With all due respect to Mamukelashvili, he will be referred to as Mamu from here for ease of typing. With that out of the way, the Lakers have been linked to the soon-to-be free agent ahead of a pivotal offseason in Los Angeles.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported in a recent installment of their rumor mill round-ups that Los Angeles was a landing spot to monitor for his services. The two NBA insiders expressed that Mamu's next deal should be in the ballpark of at least $10 million in average salary.
The Lakers can obviously afford that after LeBron James made his decision to leave the franchise open for all to hear on Tuesday. Los Angeles will be operating with more than their fair share of cap space after James' near $60 million cap hit comes off the books.
Sandro Mamukelashvili could give the Lakers a stretch big off the bench
Mamu has upside as a backup big man option for the Lakers following his breakout season with the Raptors.
Los Angeles could have their pick of utilizing him as a center or a backup four depending on the matchup. Mamu comes with some defensive limitations, so certain teams will demand the Lakers to use him alongside Jaxson Hayes off the bench (assuming he returns).
There is a lot of value to be found in the spacing that Mamu can bring to the frontcourt. The Raptors big shot 38.9 percent on 3.7 attempts a night in 2025-26, averaging 11.2 points per game overall.
Fixing up the frontcourt will be a top priority in Los Angeles this summer. If the Lakers believe Mamu can be a part of that, acquiring him should be very doable now.
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