TITLE: Lakers Reportedly Eye Sandro Mamukelashvili as Free Agency Opens
SLUG: lakers-eyeing-sandro-mamukelashvili-free-agency-report
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring additional front-court options and have shown interest in Toronto Raptors forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili, according to multiple league sources cited by The Athletic.
Free agency begins Tuesday afternoon, when the Lakers are already scheduled to meet with restricted free agents Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler. Despite center Deandre Ayton’s expected decision to pick up his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season, the organization is looking to further strengthen its interior rotation.
Mamukelashvili, 27, declined a $2.8 million player option with Toronto on Monday. League executives told The Athletic he could receive offers in the $10 million range this offseason.
The 6-foot-11 big man is coming off a career-best campaign for the Raptors, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.8 steals in nearly 22 minutes over 80 games. He converted 38.9 percent of his three-point attempts, offering the type of floor spacing the Lakers have sought around star forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles has not announced any formal meetings with Mamukelashvili, but league insiders expect the team to monitor his market closely as free agency progresses.
Source: Lakers Nation
