The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Toronto Raptors forward-center Sandro Mamukelashvili as they discover choices to fill an open roster and deal with their frontcourt wants coming into free company.
In response to Dan Woike of The Athletic, league sources have linked the Lakers to Mamukelashvili after he declined his $2.8 million player option with Toronto for the 2026-27 season. The 27-year-old is anticipated to attract curiosity across the league and will command a contract value $10 million or extra yearly.
“The Lakers have begun to be linked to various gamers because of their broad wants, their empty roster and their ample cap area,” Woike reported. “One title has come up from a number of league sources: Toronto ahead/middle Sandro Mamukelashvili.”
Los Angeles enters the offseason with vital flexibility after ending the 2025-26 common season with a 53-29 document and successful the Pacific Division. The Lakers advanced past the Houston Rockets in the first round earlier than being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder within the Western Convention semifinals.
The workforce’s frontcourt state of affairs stays one in all its greatest areas of focus. With uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ future and the Lakers seeking to construct round Luka Doncic, the franchise is anticipated to guage inexpensive gamers who can present dimension, capturing and lineup versatility.
Mamukelashvili suits that profile after producing the most effective season of his NBA profession in Toronto. He appeared in 80 video games with 13 begins, averaging 11.2 factors, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes per sport. He shot 52.3% from the sphere and 38.9% from three-point vary, posting a 61.4% efficient field-goal share.
His influence helped him end within the prime 10 of Sixth Man of the 12 months voting. Mamukelashvili grew to become a dependable offensive choice for a Raptors workforce that completed 46-36 and earned the No. 5 seed within the Jap Convention earlier than falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game first-round series.
Toronto used Mamukelashvili as a complementary large subsequent to beginning middle Jakob Poeltl, who averaged 10.7 factors and seven.0 rebounds whereas main the league in field-goal share amongst certified gamers at 70.0%.
The Raptors now face a choice on whether or not to retain Mamukelashvili or shift extra frontcourt accountability towards youthful gamers.
