Some NBA players get the bag and immediately become satisfied. If Sandro Mamukelashvili is true to his word, the new Los Angeles Lakers big man will not be one of those guys. Mamu was adamant about that being the case when getting a chance to speak up at Lakers Media Day.
The Georgian big man went from two-way contracts, prove-it deals, and modest gambles to securing a whopping $52 million over four years with the Lakers this summer. Despite that, Mamukelashvili delivered what was easily the best quote from Media Day regarding why there is no complacency in what he does from here.
"You can't get comfortable. I really mean it. I think the moment you get comfortable with this league is the moment you're going to find yourself declining. ... I feel like I just got to prove it every game, every practice, ever year. ... I just want to be the guy who doesn't settle."
Mamukelashvili added more about his desire to win and be a part of something great. Mamu wanted to stay on his toes, believing that is what got him to where he is today. Working hard and accepting challenges was what the Lakers big thought would get him to where he wanted to go moving forward.
Sandro Mamukelashvili does not want to stop at the $52 million payday
Mamu kept going on the subject for a while. His big deal was not going to be the reason he started to sit back. Mamukelashvili emphasized there was a lot more to do and a lot more to prove in his career.
"The work never stops," Mamukelashvili added.
You can scan across any major time period throughout NBA history and find guys who took their foot off the pedal after they got their bag. For a recent example, look no further than former Lakers center Deandre Ayton being content to be crowned a max-contract player by the Phoenix Suns.
“I got nothing to prove in this league. I’m a max player, and I’ll continue to be a max player.”
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 23, 2024
Deandre Ayton in an interview with @MarkG_Medina pic.twitter.com/wnMynVS6Yj
By contrast, Mamukelashvili had to claw for everything he has gotten at the NBA level. That type of underdog mentality appears to still be with him despite being rewarded with the contract of a high-level role player. The Lakers should find comfort in that.
Mamukelashvili will need to have a big impact on the upcoming season, whether it be as a starter or as a bench player. Being the fifth highest earner on the Lakers in 2026-27 speaks to that.
Mamu attributed his improvements over the years to the game slowing down for him. Now paired with Luka Doncic, the 27-year-old will be given the biggest stage he has ever had to showcase that version of himself. If his bite is as big as his bark, the Lakers can expect a lot of positives in 2026-27.
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