According to The Stein Line – Marc Stein and Jake Fischer – the Los Angeles Lakers are in the lead for two quality free-agency names: Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes. In fact, Stein and Fischer noted that the rest of the NBA is acting as if the two free agents have already signed in LA. It’s basically as if the deals are done.
The two free agents should provide the Lakers with valuable depth at important positions. Mamukelashvili will give them some great center depth, and Grimes’ scoring on the wing will be very helpful as well. And based on the latest reports, it seems as though both are already effectively wearing Lakers uniforms.
And that’s great news.
Lakers are in the lead to sign Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes
It was a pretty quiet first night of free agency. The quietest in recent memory, actually. And the Lakers didn’t end up making any signings (except reportedly losing LeBron James, but that was earlier in the day).
However, if Stein and Fischer’s reporting comes true, then the Lakers already have two potential signings in the works, both of whom will be great fits alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Last year, Mamukelashvili enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Toronto Raptors. He was great for them, providing impressive backup center minutes and even playing some power forward.
Mamukelashvili appeared in 80 games for the Raptors, playing 21.9 minutes per contest. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from deep range on 3.7 three-point attempts per contest.
His floor-spacing and creativity with the ball in his hands make him a very intriguing fit next to the rest of LA’s shot creation. And Grimes should be a nice addition, too, should the rumors come true.
Grimes spent last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he was notably unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension with them last summer.
This past year, Grimes appeared in 75 games, playing 29.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 45.0% from the field and 33.4% from deep on 5.1 three-point attempts per contest.
His 3-and-D skills will be very useful either coming off the bench or as the Lakers’ small forward, with Doncic and Reaves running the one and two.
Nothing is official, but the Lakers are very clearly in the lead for both guys.
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