Welcome to our Lakers Season Preview Series! For the next several weeks, we’ll be writing columns every weekday breaking down the biggest questions we have about every player the Lakers added this offseason. Today, we look at Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Sandro Mamukelashvili wasn’t on Lakers fans’ radar. That’s why when the Georgian big man joined the purple and gold, it was considered the team’s most out-of-the-box signing of the summer.
With Mamu in the mix, the Lakers now have a different type of offensive
weapon than they’ve had in the past. Not only did they acquire a big man that truly fits with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, but one who can also space the floor and allow LA to play a two-big lineup. The 27-year-old lefty adds more firepower to an already potent offense.
The 6’9” big is also coming off his best season yet in his career, where he received votes for Sixth Man of the Year. Mamu averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and shot 38.9% from 3-point range for the Raptors. He played in 80 games and started in 13 of those. It was a season that the incoming six-year forward can build on.
Given that Mamu signed a four-year, $52 million contract, the expectation for him to deliver will be considerably higher. The Lakers’ relatively thin frontcourt also puts added importance on his role.
What is his best-case scenario?
The best case for Mamu is that he becomes a dependable, key rotation player throughout the season, like LaMar Odom during the Lakers’ title runs. Obviously, Mamu is a significantly different player compared to Odom but it would be great if he can have a similar impact off the bench.
Mamu has to thrive in spacing out the Lakers’ offense, which means his shooting numbers have to remain consistent. If he can maintain his shooting percentage from last year, then that will do wonders for a team that runs a heavy pick-and-roll offense. Additionally, him continuing to finish 71% of his shots in the restricted area will be the icing on the cake.
Those numbers matter because that’s the type of production the Lakers need. He has to shoot well for the two-big lineups to be effective. Fortunately, there’s enough data to prove that Mamu can make it work, as he did last season alongside Jakob Poelt, with whom he had a +6.6 net rating in the 112 minutes.
Besides scoring, it would be ideal to see Mamu further improve his already decent ability to read defenses and make quick passes. There’s a reason why the former Raptor is highly regarded for his high basketball IQ. He can take advantage of the defenses with his playmaking through kick-out passes and backdoor bounces.
The best-case scenario for Mamu is to give the Lakers’ offense another dimension while adding a level of versatility and unpredictability that they haven’t had.
What is his worst-case scenario?
The worst-case scenario for Mamu is if he doesn’t perform as well as he did last season. That would be a tough blow for the Lakers, especially after investing in him without much insurance in the frontcourt.
It would be hard to watch Mamu constantly be a liability on defense. There have been scenarios of him being targeted on switches and he’s not exactly the best rim protector out there. The worst-case scenario would be Mamu becoming unplayable in certain situations, particularly when the Lakers need his production.
What is his most likely role on the team?
Mamu will most likely come off the bench. Besides playing alongside Kessler, Mamu will also be tasked with stepping in for him when he takes a breather. The two big men, along with Kevon Looeny, will shoulder the load in the frontcourt.
What sets Mamu apart from his frontcourt teammates is his unique skill set. How he puts it to use will ultimately determine his success in his first season as a Laker.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
