Originally published by LakersNation.com
Despite the Los Angeles Lakers having the most cap space in the NBA, they were patient at the start of free agency, setting up meetings with some of their top targets.
At some point though, Rob Pelinka would need to begin putting that cap space to use and he has now done that by agreeing to sign former Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, per Shams Charania of ESPN:
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
Mamukelashvili is a quality add as a floor-stretching big man who can also operate in the paint. He is coming off a career-year with the Raptors in which he averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range.
The numbers are even more impressive considering he averaged just 21.9 minutes per contest, showing he can make a big impact in a short amount of time.
While he is capable behind the arc, Mamukelashvili isn’t just a shooter, being able to operate in the paint as well. He isn’t necessarily the rim-running big man that normally pairs alongside Luka Doncic, but his offensive skill level and high IQ would still make him a great fit with the superstar and an expanded role could put him in line for an even bigger breakout season.
With signs pointing towards Rui Hachimura departing in free agency, the Lakers are bringing in Mamukelashvili as an alternative. He came into focus as one of the team’s top targets as free agency began on Tuesday.
Now that L.A. has made its first moves with Mamukelashvili and also Walker Kessler, more dominos should continue to fall in the coming hours and days of free agency.
LeBron James set to depart Lakers
Part of the reason the Lakers have so much cap space is because LeBron James let them know that he will not be returning to the team and will be looking for a new home in free agency.
With James’ expected departure, the Lakers can shift their focus fully to the Luka Doncic era and building around their 27-year-old superstar in order to compete for championships for years to come.
While replacing James won’t be easy, it makes sense to lean into building around Doncic by giving him athletes and shooters, which is what he has had success with in the past.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
Despite the Los Angeles Lakers having the most cap space in the NBA, they were patient at the start of free agency, setting up meetings with some of their top targets.
At some point though, Rob Pelinka would need to begin putting that cap space to use and he has now done that by agreeing to sign former Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, per Shams Charania of ESPN:
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
Mamukelashvili is a quality add as a floor-stretching big man who can also operate in the paint. He is coming off a career-year with the Raptors in which he averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range.
The numbers are even more impressive considering he averaged just 21.9 minutes per contest, showing he can make a big impact in a short amount of time.
While he is capable behind the arc, Mamukelashvili isn’t just a shooter, being able to operate in the paint as well. He isn’t necessarily the rim-running big man that normally pairs alongside Luka Doncic, but his offensive skill level and high IQ would still make him a great fit with the superstar and an expanded role could put him in line for an even bigger breakout season.
With signs pointing towards Rui Hachimura departing in free agency, the Lakers are bringing in Mamukelashvili as an alternative. He came into focus as one of the team’s top targets as free agency began on Tuesday.
Now that L.A. has made its first moves with Mamukelashvili and also Walker Kessler, more dominos should continue to fall in the coming hours and days of free agency.
LeBron James set to depart Lakers
Part of the reason the Lakers have so much cap space is because LeBron James let them know that he will not be returning to the team and will be looking for a new home in free agency.
With James’ expected departure, the Lakers can shift their focus fully to the Luka Doncic era and building around their 27-year-old superstar in order to compete for championships for years to come.
While replacing James won’t be easy, it makes sense to lean into building around Doncic by giving him athletes and shooters, which is what he has had success with in the past.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
