Sandro Mamukelashvili is a flawed player whose minutes could be capped by his limitations on defense. For the Los Angeles Lakers, however, he also has the perfect skill set and mentality to give the purple and gold an entirely new energy on offense.
After relying on efficient low-volume scorers and shooters for supplementary offense a season ago, the Lakers now have a gunner in Mamukelashvili to play behind or alongside center Walker Kessler.
Mamukelashvili, 27, turned in a career year for the Toronto Raptors in 2025-26. His playing time increased, his production followed suit, and he quickly established himself as one of the better floor-spacing big men in the NBA.
That ultimately resulted in the Lakers signing Mamukelashvili to a four-year deal worth $52 million that will keep him in Los Angeles through at least 2028-29.
Just in: Free agent F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal to sign with Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option for the fourth season, sources tell ESPN. Big fully guaranteed deal for George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports. pic.twitter.com/dN7L6K7SQm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
Though Mamukelashvili isn't a perfect player, he's a welcome change from the high-efficiency and low-volume supporting cast the Lakers featured in 2025-26.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is the shooter, volume scorer the Lakers need
Mamukelashvili finished the 2025-26 regular season with averages of 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 offensive rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.4 three-point field goals made on .523/.389/.747 shooting. He did so in just 21.9 minutes per game.
In other words: Mamukelashvili turned in eye-opening averages of 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 offensive rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.4 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Mamukelashvili's value is accurately reflected in his production. He's a volume scorer, a knockdown three-point shooter, and an underrated creator who can generate offense for his teammates. Contrary to his reputation as a three-point specialist, he even attempted and converted more twos than threes.
Mamukelashvili did so with remarkable efficiency, shooting 71.3 percent in the restricted area and ranking in the 84th percentile in rim shot making efficiency in 2025-26.
Lakers needed reserves who aren't afraid to shoot with volume
By comparison, Rui Hachimura shot the lights out at a clip of .514/.443/.694, yet he averaged 14.6 points, 11.2 field goal attempts, and 4.9 three-point field goal attempts per 36 minutes. Luke Kennard led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, but averaged just 14.2 points and 5.2 attempts from distance per 36 minutes.
Mamukelashvili not only far exceeds them in scoring at 18.4 points per 36 minutes, but was more assertive with 13.0 field goal and 6.1 three-point field goal attempts per 36.
There's certainly something to be said for how Hachimura and Kennard attempted to slot into a crowded perimeter. That only strengthens Mamukelashvili's case, however, as he can operate from different angles and help the Lakers run new-look plays to diversify their offense.
No, the 2025-26 Raptors didn't have a ball-dominant trio like Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, but they did have four different players average at least 16.4 points per game—and Mamukelashvili still found his spots.
If JJ Redick can find the ideal role and playing time for Mamukelashvili in 2026-27, then his assertiveness on offense could change everything about how the Lakers play.
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