As NBA Free Agency approaches, the Lakers are pursuing Sandro Mamukelashvili to strengthen their rotation. The 27-year-old center recently declined his option with the Raptors following a breakout season. Sources suggest he will receive offers surpassing $10 million after shooting nearly 40% from three-point range.
2026 NBA Free Agency is about to tip off in less than 24 hours.
MIN
21.3
PTS
10.7
FG%
56%
REB
4.9
AS
1.8
Whilst the teams already had a chance to retain their players by picking up team options for next season, there are still some interesting pickups in free agency.
As Dan Woike of The Athletic reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are linked with Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Georgian center declined his $2.8 million player option to stay with the Toronto Raptors, and league sources expect the offers to surpass $10 million.
Sandro Mamukelashvili declines his player option
Mamukelashvili declined his $2.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season and became a free agent.
Mamukelashvili had a $2.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season as part of the two-year deal he signed with Toronto in 2025.
By declining the option, the 27-year-old forward-center will enter unrestricted free agency and look for a new contract after increasing his value during the 2025-26 campaign.
The decision does not rule out a return to Toronto, but it allows Mamukelashvili to test the open market and potentially secure a larger or longer-term deal.
Mamukelashvili coming off career-best season
Mamukelashvili delivered the best season of his NBA career with the Raptors.
He appeared in 80 games during the 2025-26 regular season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He also shot 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from the three-point range.
Those numbers marked a clear step forward compared to his previous NBA production.
Before joining Toronto, Mamukelashvili had mostly played as a rotation big with the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs.
His combination of size, shooting, passing, and frontcourt versatility made him a useful piece in Darko Rajakovic’s rotation.
Credit FIBA
Why Mamukelashvili could draw free agency interest
Position
PF
Age
28
Height
206 cm
Weight
109 kg
Birth place
New York, United States of America
Mamukelashvili’s market is expected to be built around his offensive skill set.
At 6-foot-9 (206 cm), he can play both power forward and center, stretch the floor from three-point range, and operate as a connective passer. Those traits are valuable for teams looking for frontcourt depth without sacrificing spacing.
His improved shooting also makes him a more natural fit next to traditional centers or slashing guards.
Mamukelashvili’s NBA career path
Mamukelashvili was selected with the No. 54 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft after four seasons at Seton Hall.
He began his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2023.
His most notable moment with San Antonio came in March 2025, when he scored a career-high 34 points against the New York Knicks while shooting 13-for-14 from the field and 7-for-7 from three-point range.
Mamukelashvili signed with the Raptors in 2025 and used his first season in Toronto to become a more established NBA rotation player.
Across his NBA career, he has averaged 7.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.