Lakers Sign Sandro Mamukelashvili to 4-Year, $52 Million Deal

Q: Is Mamukelashvili the Lakers' answer for a 'killer big,' or is another major frontcourt move still on the horizon?

No. Mamukelashvili looks more like a useful rotation addition than the Lakers’ long-sought “killer big.” The deal gives Los Angeles a productive, versatile frontcourt player who just had a career year in Toronto, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and shooting 38.9% from three in 80 games. At 6-foot-9, he can space the floor, pass a bit and play both frontcourt spots. That makes him a strong fit next to Luka Doncic in certain lineups, especially offensively. But he does not match the profile the Lakers have been chasing. Reporting around the team has consistently said Doncic wanted an “A-list center” — a rim protector, lob threat and interior anchor. Mamukelashvili is not generally viewed that way. His role has even been described as unclear, with some league observers seeing him as a complementary piece rather than the centerpiece of the frontcourt rebuild. The broader offseason context points the same way. The Lakers entered the summer with major cap flexibility, a stated need at center, and interest in bigger-impact options such as Myles Turner, Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and others. They were also expected to move on from underwhelming center play and continue reshaping the roster around Doncic and Austin Reaves after LeBron James’ departure. So Mamukelashvili should be seen as part of the solution, not the full answer. If the Lakers still want the dominant interior presence they have openly lacked, another major frontcourt move would remain logical.

Q: Can Mamukelashvili prove he's worth $52 million on a title contender, or was his career year a fluke?

Mamukelashvili looks more like a sensible bet than a fluke, but the Lakers are paying for a high-end rotation big, not a proven difference-making starter. The case for him is real. In Toronto last season, he played 80 games, averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 21.9 minutes, shot 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from three, and posted strong efficiency. That profile matters on a contender: a 6-foot-9 frontcourt player who can space the floor, move without the ball, finish efficiently and keep the offense flowing around a star creator like Luka Doncic. His production was not empty either; he was at least in the Sixth Man of the Year discussion and was widely viewed as one of the better value signings in the league. The caution is that $52 million over four years raises expectations beyond what he has shown so far. His breakout came after several modest seasons, and there is still skepticism about whether his defense holds up in bigger playoff minutes. Even favorable evaluations have framed him more as one of the league’s better backup bigs than as a full-time starting center. That matters because the Lakers still need rim protection and interior force, and Mamukelashvili does not fully solve that problem by himself. So yes, he can justify the contract if he remains an efficient 20-to-25-minute contributor on a winning team. But if the Lakers need him to be their answer at center in deep playoff series, the deal will look much riskier.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 1

$52 million will bring Sandro Mamukelashvili to Los Angeles on a four-year contract that is fully guaranteed and includes a player option for the final season.
The Lakers moved after the big man boosted his value in 2025-26, averaging 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds while entering the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.
Mamukelashvili appeared in 80 games for Toronto last season, making 13 starts before landing what should be a significant frontcourt role in L.A.