The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Milwaukee Bucks, with Sandro Mamukelashvili showing exactly why he was signed over Rui Hachimura in free agency. Mamu scored 20-plus for the second straight game. He’s been shooting the lights out, but the 6’9 big man offers so much more than Hachimura.
Lakers fans came to know Rui well in his three-and-a-half seasons with the franchise. Hachimura is an elite 3-point shooter, but doesn’t offer much else. He averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 27.9 minutes per game over 228 contests with the purple and gold. Rui’s shooting helped, but the Lakers replaced him with a cheaper and more versatile option.
Mamu is shooting 41.2 percent from 3-point range and making 1.6 per game. Over the last seven games, it has risen to 45.7 percent with 2.3 makes each night. With the 27-year-old, it is not just shooting. Mamu can make a few plays, attack in transition, and even hold his own as a backup five. He is simply a better player than Rui.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is finding his stride with the Lakers
The Lakers are 11-2 to start the season, but fans have to remember this is a new group. They have nine new players, including Mamu. The big man struggled a bit in the first six games. He was averaging 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, but was only shooting 31.3 percent from 3-point range.
Over the last seven games, Mamu has put up 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 23.9 minutes per game. He is shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 45.7 on his threes. The sixth man needed a bit of time to settle in, but he looks like a serious contender to win the award.
The Lakers were 4-2 to start the year, but have gone 7-0 since. Mamu is playing a key role and proving to be much better than Hachimura.
Sandro Mamukelashvili’s versatility proves the Lakers were right
Hachimura was known for spotting up and drilling threes. Mamu can bring the ball up the floor, find an open teammate, and even drive to the rim. The Lakers are short on ball-handling behind Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Collin Sexton. They have had to use Mamu in spurts, and it is helping make the big man a fan favorite.
Fans saw Mamu make a couple of impressive baskets off drives against the Bucks. The ability to catch and drive or initiate the offense is important. Teams are winning with depth and versatility in the modern NBA. Mamu is the type of big man who helps the Lakers do that.
The Lakers gave him a four-year, $52 million contract in the offseason that drew some questions. Role players don’t normally get four-year contracts, but Mamu looks to be worth every penny.
The Lakers aren’t just relying on their stars to do everything. Mamu, Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Ziaire Williams can all do more than just shoot. Los Angeles wanted that versatility. It is why they let Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and others walk.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is a better defender than Rui Hachimura
The Lakers had an 11.2 net rating with Mamu on the floor coming into the win over the Bucks. The 6’9 big man can play the four or the five. Mamukelashvili has held up as a rim protector after the Lakers removed Kevon Looney from the rotation. Head coach JJ Redick has smartly used him next to Jarred Vanderbilt or Adou Thiero. Still, that ability to play the five is not something Rui offered.
The addition of Walker Kessler has allowed the Lakers to increase their defensive aggression. Mamu is guarding multiple positions and playing a versatile role. He’s been better than Hachimura on both ends of the floor because Mamu can do more.
The Los Angeles Lakers wisely signed Sandro Mamukelashvili in free agency over bringing back Rui Hachimura. They are both elite shooters, but Hachimura can’t match Mamu’s production. Credit to Rob Pelinka for recognizing the Lakers can’t win with one-way options. They need versatility. Mamu brings it, and he keeps getting better as he settles in with the purple and gold. The best is still yet to come.
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