By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Los Angeles Lakers are actively reshaping their roster for the upcoming 2026–27 season, with Georgian forward-center Sandro Mamukelashvili emerging as a primary target. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line on Tuesday, the versatile big is heavily expected to join the storied franchise as an unrestricted free agent to bolster their frontcourt rotation.
This pursuit comes on the heels of a breakout 2025–26 year for Mamu, who proved to be a highly effective weapon off the bench for Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic at the Toronto Raptors. Across 97 total appearances split between the Regular Season and the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, he averaged 10.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, cementing his reputation as an elite floor-spacing asset.
His projected arrival coincides with notable roster turnover in Southern California, where the Lakers are rumored to be pursuing several more free agents to maximize their financial flexibility. In the opposite direction, veteran guard Luke Kennard agreed to sign a two-year, $13M contract with the Phoenix Suns, as reported by ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania. The 30-year-old perimeter marksman spent a brief tenure in Los Angeles after joining the organization via a mid-season trade last February.
Mamukelashvili’s unique skill set makes him an intriguing option to fit Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic’s explicit offseason request of acquiring an elite center to anchor the lineup. While the front office is looking at multiple traditional options, the Georgian international offers an elite, high-IQ passing game and perimeter threat that perfectly aligns with what Doncic needs to alleviate defensive pressure.
His journey highlights steady professional growth over a five-year NBA career spanning three different franchises. Initially selected 54th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm, the former Seton Hall standout and Big East co-Player of the Year spent his most recent campaign registering career-high marks and efficient perimeter shooting. Now entering free agency, the dynamic forward looks poised to bring his modern, multifaceted skill set to Hollywood.
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