Originally published by LakersNation.com
One of the biggest moves the Los Angeles Lakers made during their offseason flurry of new additions was poaching forward-center Sandro Mamukelashvili from the Toronto Raptors. The Georgian big man played a big role off the bench for a surprise Toronto team that made it all the way to the postseason last year.
Mamukelashvili — on paper — seems to be a sort of replacement for Rui Hachimura, positionally. It’s unclear right now whether or not he’ll be a starter or a backup, but his versatile skillset should allow him to make a positive impact in any role. The Lakers clearly believed in his abilities enough to give him a four-year, $52 million contract, the third-biggest free agent deal they gave out this summer. Part of why is his mindset, knowing that he won’t get complacent now that he has long-term security.
“Well, it feels great. But, you know, it’s just I think you can’t get comfortable,” Mamukelashvili said at Lakers media day. “I really mean it. I think the moment you get comfortable in this league is the moment you’re going to find yourself declining. And to me, even though I signed a four-year deal doesn’t mean like—I feel like I just got to prove every game, every practice, every year.
“Of course, it’s good to have a few years, but, you know, I just want to be the guy who doesn’t settle, you know? I want to achieve something in my career, and I want to win, and I want to be a part of something great. So to do that, you got to always be on your toes, you got to always be aware of the situation you’re in. And, you know, I think that’s what got me here, understanding that every day is a challenge.
“But, you go and if you work through it and work hard and feel like you’re a good guy, you’re going to get rewarded. So, even though I have a big deal, that doesn’t mean that I’m going to just sit and be comfortable and be happy with it. I think there is a lot more I can do in my career, there is a lot more I can prove, and, you know, the work never stops.”
By all accounts, Mamukleashvili appears to be the perfect high-character addition by the Lakers who is going to play his very best regardless of the role he is given or any contract situation. Those are the types of players franchises need when they have a top-flight superstar, someone who knows their role and gives their all to it each night.
That is a theme of nearly every major addition the Lakers made this summer, but Mamukelashvili might be the best example of it.
Quentin Grimes looking to earn starting spot for Lakers
The assumption around the Lakers is that Quentin Grimes will ultimately fill one of the two remaining starter roles around Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. The Lakers seem eager to deploy Grimes as a true two-way player who can be a point-of-attack guy while having burst and shooting on offense.
Grimes’ goal heading into training camp is to ensure that he earns one of those two spots and does not want it handed to him.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
One of the biggest moves the Los Angeles Lakers made during their offseason flurry of new additions was poaching forward-center Sandro Mamukelashvili from the Toronto Raptors. The Georgian big man played a big role off the bench for a surprise Toronto team that made it all the way to the postseason last year.
Mamukelashvili — on paper — seems to be a sort of replacement for Rui Hachimura, positionally. It’s unclear right now whether or not he’ll be a starter or a backup, but his versatile skillset should allow him to make a positive impact in any role. The Lakers clearly believed in his abilities enough to give him a four-year, $52 million contract, the third-biggest free agent deal they gave out this summer. Part of why is his mindset, knowing that he won’t get complacent now that he has long-term security.
“Well, it feels great. But, you know, it’s just I think you can’t get comfortable,” Mamukelashvili said at Lakers media day. “I really mean it. I think the moment you get comfortable in this league is the moment you’re going to find yourself declining. And to me, even though I signed a four-year deal doesn’t mean like—I feel like I just got to prove every game, every practice, every year.
“Of course, it’s good to have a few years, but, you know, I just want to be the guy who doesn’t settle, you know? I want to achieve something in my career, and I want to win, and I want to be a part of something great. So to do that, you got to always be on your toes, you got to always be aware of the situation you’re in. And, you know, I think that’s what got me here, understanding that every day is a challenge.
“But, you go and if you work through it and work hard and feel like you’re a good guy, you’re going to get rewarded. So, even though I have a big deal, that doesn’t mean that I’m going to just sit and be comfortable and be happy with it. I think there is a lot more I can do in my career, there is a lot more I can prove, and, you know, the work never stops.”
By all accounts, Mamukleashvili appears to be the perfect high-character addition by the Lakers who is going to play his very best regardless of the role he is given or any contract situation. Those are the types of players franchises need when they have a top-flight superstar, someone who knows their role and gives their all to it each night.
That is a theme of nearly every major addition the Lakers made this summer, but Mamukelashvili might be the best example of it.
Quentin Grimes looking to earn starting spot for Lakers
The assumption around the Lakers is that Quentin Grimes will ultimately fill one of the two remaining starter roles around Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. The Lakers seem eager to deploy Grimes as a true two-way player who can be a point-of-attack guy while having burst and shooting on offense.
Grimes’ goal heading into training camp is to ensure that he earns one of those two spots and does not want it handed to him.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.