The Los Angeles Lakers enter NBA free agency in clear need of shooting and frontcourt upgrades around superstar guard Luka Dončić.
According to league insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, LA has “emerged as a notable suitor” for an under-the-radar big man who could check both boxes. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is expected to face stiff competition for his services.
Lakers Linked To Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili
Sandro Mamukelashvili was widely considered one of the best value signings of last year’s free agency class, vastly outplaying his two-year, $5.3 million contract with the Toronto Raptors.
After securing a backup center role following years of uneven playing time, the 27-year-old played a key role in Toronto’s surprise 46-win season, providing frontcourt spacing, scoring bursts, and high-energy play.
Unfortunately for the Raptors, the second year of Mamukelashvili’s deal featured a $2.8 million player option, which he declined with the expectation of receiving a hefty pay raise in this year’s free agency.
In their Monday newsletter, Stein and Fischer reported that Mamukelashvili is “likely to generate multiple offers north of $10 million in average annual value,” with his former team, the San Antonio Spurs, open to a reunion using their $15 million full midlevel exception.
The insiders added that LA is also gaining traction as a viable landing spot for Mamukelashvili.
“The Lakers, who have obviously been connected to various big men, have emerged as a notable Mamu suitor,” Stein and Fischer reported.
REPORT: The Lakers have emerged as a “notable suitor” for Sandro Mamukelashvili, per @TheSteinLine / @JakeLFischer
(https://t.co/oMERuq6mtj) pic.twitter.com/QfwFgMbUlW
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 30, 2026
Across 80 outings in the 2025-26 campaign, Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1.4 3-pointers per game while shooting 52.3% overall and 38.9% from deep.
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While only listed at 6-foot-9 and not a rim protector by any stretch of the imagination, Mamukelashvili’s quickness and versatility for his size make him an asset to contenders needing an offensive boost at the four and five spots.
Despite coming off a 53-win season and second-round playoff appearance, the Lakers ranked 23rd in nightly 3s during the regular season (11.8), shooting a middling 35.9% from beyond the arc. They also struggled to get consistent production from centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, with the latter essentially functioning as a lob threat.
Mamukelashvili would give LA a different look at the five as it seeks to build an optimal roster around Dončić, with Austin Reaves already locked in as the six-time All-Star’s backcourt partner.
However, if the Lakers want to take the next step, defensive reinforcements would likely still be required, given Mamukelashvili’s limitations against true 7-footers.