The Los Angeles Lakers signed Sandro Mamukelashvili to a four-year, $52 million contract this offseason to be a key contributor, but head coach JJ Redick will have to watch his playing time closely like he just did with Deandre Ayton. Luka Doncic wanted a center, and Ayton was the best available option in LA’s price range last summer. The big man started 72 games and had a productive year, but Redick wasn’t afraid to bench him if things weren’t going well.
The head coach will have to do the same with Mamu. The 6’9 big man is a skilled offensive weapon with defensive issues. His clear limitations will open up minutes for defense-first options like Adou Thiero and Jarred Vanderbilt. Redick can’t be afraid to go deeper into his bench if the matchup calls for it. It will be an on-the-fly adjustment, but one the Lakers must make to maximize their record.
It will be a headache just like it was with Ayton. The seven-footer played under 20 minutes 12 times last season and saw his minutes decline in every game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. Redick wasn’t afraid to go in a different direction when things weren’t working, and he will need to repeat the feat with Mamu.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is virtually unplayable in certain matchups
Mamu is an efficient scorer who could be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year if the Lakers decide to bring him off the bench and play him 28 to 30 minutes per game. He shot 52.3 percent from the field and 38.9 percent on his 3-point attempts last season with the Toronto Raptors. Los Angeles has an open spot in their starting five, but should keep Mamukelashvili as a reserve to exploit second units.
Teams that force Mamu to guard on the perimeter or can bully him in the paint are problematic. He played just over 26 total minutes in the two meetings against the Denver Nuggets last season as Nikola Jokic and company kept exploiting him. The 27-year-old played just 14.7 minutes per game in the playoffs against the Cavaliers as Cleveland took advantage of his subpar defense.
Redick has to know when it is not working and pull the plug. Mamu is not a set-it-and-forget-it type player. He must be in the right role against the proper matchup. If not, things can go sideways quickly. The Lakers head coach will be watching closely and can’t be afraid to yank him when things aren’t working.
Deandre Ayton proved an inconsistent player can be effective starting next to Luka Doncic
Ayton produced his best win shares since 2022 last season playing off Luka Doncic. The Lakers superstar gets big men easy buckets and makes their life easier, but DA wasn’t the long-term option at the five. He struggles to protect the rim and is not the defensive anchor Los Angeles needs.
The Lakers were happy to upgrade to Walker Kessler and be able to trade Ayton for Jaden Hardy and two second-round draft picks. Kessler is the long-term LA has been searching for, but DA proved Doncic can succeed with a score-first big man. Mamu has a more versatile skill set and could be elite playing off number 77.
There will be inconsistency from Mamu. When the shots aren't falling, there is no reason to keep him on the floor. He must be getting buckets and holding his own defensively. If not, it is time to go in another direction.
JJ Redick needs to let the matchups dictate the Lakers’ rotation
Most head coaches like to script their rotation heading into the game, but that isn’t possible with Mamu. The 27-year-old keeps improving and may already be forcing Redick to consider giving him more minutes, but it should change depending on the matchup.
Mamu had 12 games where he was a minus-ten or more last season, and he played under 20 minutes in eight of them. If the Raptors stuck with him longer, things would have only gotten worse. Teams like the Thunder, Spurs, and Knicks are difficult matchups for Mamukelashvili. They will keep exploiting his defense and force coach Redick to take him off the floor.
It is fair to question why the Lakers spent so much on a player that struggles to impact winning against the best teams. This was another case of Rob Pelinka falling in love with a score-first option. Now, it is on Redick to maximize Mamu and the Lakers' chances to win. The head coach will need a quick hook on nights where the matchups aren’t right.
JJ Redick will have the same headache figuring out Sandro Mamukelashvili’s minutes as he did with Deandre Ayton. The Los Angeles Lakers need to treat Mamu like last season's starting center. If the big man doesn’t have it, LA must pull the plug. When Mamukelashvili is rolling, give him more run. It is all about playing the matchups.
The Lakers need to exploit favorable ones and mitigate the problematic ones. Mamu will be both, depending on the night, so Redick has to be ready to make the difficult decisions. It will be a repeat of the Ayton situation all over again.
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