When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Sandro Mamukelashvili, there was understandable uncertainty in regard to what type of role he'd play in 2026-27. His skill set was certainly appealing, but the 21.9 minutes per game he averaged in 2025-26 marked the first time he cleared 11.5 since 2022-23.
If the preseason is a sign of things to come, Mamukelashvili will be a featured contributor and a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate as he takes on a vital offensive role in Los Angeles.
Mamukelashvili has been electric during the preseason. In addition to offering expected strengths as a three-point shooter and finisher inside, he's turned heads with his passing, ball-handling, and shot creation alongside the starters and reserves alike.
In many respects, Mamukelashvili is playing a Lamar Odom style of game as a big man who can put the ball on the floor and offer both skill and perhaps underrated agility in both the half-court and transition.
Watching Mamukelashvili not just attack closeouts, but quickly get into the paint for finishes and passes to open shooters has been a joy. Seeing him create his own offense and then selflessly go back to playing off of the stars has been a revelation.
It's far too soon to know how the Sixth Man of the Year race will play out, but if Mamukelashvili can carry his preseason form into the regular season, he'll have every chance to be a candidate.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is doing a bit of everything for the Lakers
Mamukelashvili began the preseason by dishing out five assists in 19 minutes during a 127-103 win over the Sacramento Kings. In addition to opening eyes with his production, he buried a pair of catch-and-shoot threes, was active as a screener, created for teammates with handoff actions Los Angeles continues to experiment with, and even attacked in isolation.
Compounded by Mamukelashvili showcasing the ability to grab a rebound and turn up court as the primary ball-handler and then find teammates in stride in transition, it was an impressive showing.
That's all carried into other games. He's become more comfortable running the transition offense and has rewarded JJ Redick's faith with crisp assists. He's also remained diligent in turning screens and handoffs into open looks for teammates.
More than anything, Mamukelashvili has been all over the court with his energy and impressive fluidity as an athlete at 6'9" and 240 pounds—and the Lakers appear ready to amplify his impact.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is too involved on offense to be overlooked
During the Lakers' second preseason game, Mamukelashvili registered 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including a 3-of-4 night from beyond the arc. His first two buckets alone were intriguing. First, he took a low pass toward his non-shooting hand and still buried a three with a hand in his face.
Next, he worked a lengthy pick-and-roll possession that required him to adjust his positioning against Draymond Green and ultimately adapted to the ball-handler to get an angle for a two-hand dunk.
Mamu put the icing on the cake by turning a handoff into a switch against a smaller defender and punished the mismatch with a beautiful turnaround J. Throw in a corner three, a handoff leading to an off-ball cut and a clean layup finish, and a nice driving pass to a cutting Adou Thiero and it was an impressive outing.
More importantly, it set the stage for what the past two games have revealed: Mamukelashvili isn't just playing well. He's playing the role that will make him a Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Sandro Mamukelashvili just finds a way to get involved
Read back through the plays as they were described. They tend to repeat themselves. Moreover, they tend to be less about breaking opponents down than simply being in the right place at the right time—a result of deliberate off-ball movement and activity to simplify the game for his teammates.
Even when Mamukelashvili is taking a rebound and turning up court, his first instinct is to scan the floor for open teammates and hit them in stride rather than waiting for them to settle somewhere.
That approach is why Mamukelashvili's impact and Sixth Man of the Year candidacy will be built on more than numbers. He's just as happy to set a screen or complete a handoff before moving away from the ball to create space for a slasher as he is when he gets to shoot a jumper, post up a smaller player, or finish in traffic off a drive from 24 feet.
That selfless mentality not only makes him a potentially great addition to the Lakers' core, but a player who can be plugged into any number of lineups.
Mamu's numbers should be Sixth Man of the Year level good
As far as statistics are concerned, Mamukelashvili is making quite a case for a potential breakout season. In his third preseason game, he posted 19 points and four assists in 21 minutes. In his fourth, he tallied 10 points, seven boards, and two assists in 21 minutes.
All of this seems to be in line with the fact that Mamukelashvili has accumulated averages of 18.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per 36 minutes over the past two seasons.
With a likely uptick in assists looming and his other production conceivably staying the course, Mamukelashvili should have the numbers to make a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year. He generates offense on his own, finds himself in the thick of things when plays aren't designed for him, and offers immense transition value as a big who can rebound and facilitate.
It must be reiterated that it's too soon to know how Sixth Man of the Year will play out, but the Lakers are equipping Mamukelashvili with the role and responsibility to be a candidate.
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