Sandro Mamukelashvili, otherwise known as “Mamu,” has proven to be a solid NBA rotation player after grinding the last five seasons in the league. The 27-year-old played for three teams in the last five years. Now, he has landed a four-year, $52 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
It is a well-deserved opportunity for Mamu, but we all know the gift and curse of wearing a Laker uniform. He will be under the most pressure he’s ever experienced in his entire career. Luckily, though, Luka Doncic can make life easy for him, with Mamukelashvili having already expressed excitement about playing alongside Doncic.
How Will Mamu Mesh With Luka and Reaves?
Let’s start off with what matters the most: the spacing for LA’s star backcourt. Mamu impressed a lot of Raptors fans last season when he shot 38.9% from three, and this skill will be the biggest asset for him in the rotation.
His left-handed jump shot is lethal when he gets hot, and his 34-point outburst against the Knicks last season was a prime example.
There’s no doubt he can fit in the offense with Austin and Luka, so it just falls on him to be consistent in his role. Outside of his jumper, his hustle creates extra points. Weighing 240 pounds at 6-foot-9, he has the build of a solid post big.
How he gels with Austin Reaves and Doncic will essentially determine his success. The two guards will have a high volume of shots, especially with LeBron James out of the picture. As of right now, the offense sounds promising, especially if Mamukelashvili plays his part.
Sandro’s Impact In The Interior
Pairing him with Walker Kessler will also provide a healthy balance of spacing and interior presence. Even then, Kessler himself has shown flashes of a jumper, opening up the door for five-out lineups. This wasn’t an option when Deandre Ayton was the starting center.
As of right now, their depth chart at the PF position consists of Mamukelashvili, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Adou Thiero. With Rui Hachimura joining the Clippers in free agency, this is the best they have at the moment. Mamu won’t be the shooter Rui was, but he’ll be a solid substitute.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it’s a solid pickup for Los Angeles as they move forward with the “Luka Lakers.” Fans should be wary, though, of his low block rate and lack of physicality in the post.
These weaknesses have shown themselves in the past, but clearly these concerns haven’t quelled the optimism of Lakers fans. If Sandro can just play his role as a pick-and-pop big with a rebounding edge, it could be the beginning of a fun four years in Hollywood.
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