Sandro Mamukelashvili has showed off the full complement of his vast offensive arsenal thus far in the preseason. Playing 20 minutes per game, he’s averaging 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists (1.8 turnovers). Aside from the box-score production, he’s been incredibly efficient, shooting 10-of-18 (55.6%) on 2-pointers and 10-of-17 (58.8%) beyond the arc.
Throughout the preseason, the Lakers have entrusted Mamukelashvili as an open-floor ball-handler and half-court playmaker, where his intersection
of dribbling, passing and shooting strain opposing defenses and enable him to operate off the ball as well.
Following the Lakers’ loss Tuesday night to the Golden State Warriors, Austin Reaves spoke about the 6-foot-9 Mamukelashvili’s capabilities as a point forward and how much trust he has in Mamukelashvili to fill that role. Shortly after, Mamukelashvili illuminated what praise like that from a player of Reaves’s ilk means to him.
“I think it’s amazing to hear those words from Austin. I look up to him. Even though we’re the same age, he’s a very, very established All-Star-caliber player,” Mamukelashvili said postgame Tuesday. “So that coming from him means a lot to me. It just makes my life easier.”
Clearly, Reaves is not the only one who believes in Mamukelashvili to lather up the offense and create quality looks for everyone. Earlier this week, head coach JJ Redick talked with reporters about Mamukelashvili’s game and what his blend of shooting and passing opens up for the Lakers offensively.
“He’s a good passer… Part of it for him is the threat of his shot, so he has the initial action with the ball and then what comes after that when he doesn’t have the ball,” Redick said. “He’s able to sort of get that space and create an advantage because of the threat of his shot. I’m going to have some fun running plays and ATO’s for him. We’ll have a little Mamu package.”
The Lakers project to be among the league’s elite offenses this season and Mamukelashvili’s malleability is a prominent reason why. He can space the floor and attack closeouts when Reaves or Luka Dončić commandeer possessions or he can let them work off the ball while he functions as a playmaker and screener. It should be fun to watch exactly how he’s deployed to elevate this unit offensively.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
