Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) warms up prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) warms up prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The jury is still out on how the Los Angeles Lakers stack up to their Western Conference competitors. After losing LeBron James, along with several key role players, Los Angeles was forced to revamp the roster, and we have yet to see how well they mesh together.
At a glance, the Lakers have a solid starting lineup (featuring a big three of Luka, Reaves, and Kessler), but there are doubts about whether they have the depth to keep up with the NBA elites. Fortunately, there is a growing belief that one of their new additions, Sandro Mamukelashvili, could compete for this season’s Sixth Man of the Year.
“I think Mamu has a better chance to win Sixth Man of the Year than some people might think,” said Brett Seigel. “Assuming Mamu comes off the bench, I think he should be in this mix.”
The Lakers’ bench wasn’t particularly impressive last season, and head coach JJ Redick was often left searching for a spark from his second unit. Luke Kennard delivered that spark for a time, but he’s gone now after agreeing to a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Phoenix Suns this summer. So, with no clear alternatives, the Lakers could look at Mamu to carry their bench scoring, but that means he’d have to commit to a backup role coming off the best season of his career.
Last season, in 80 games, Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 52.3% shooting from the field for the Raptors. With an average of 21.9 minutes per game, he played a big role for them without overstepping his authority or trying to force his shots.
On the Lakers, some experts have called for him to start, but there are some concerns about how he will work defensively with Walker Kessler. Despite being 6’9″ and 240 pounds, he’s not known as a particularly good defender, and that means he’s probably best used in a supporting role. Still, he brings a lot to the table as a high-IQ center who can stretch the floor and operate in pick-and-rolls.
While Sixth Man of the Year may sound ambitious, Sandro already finished 10th in the race last season, earning three total points. At just 27, he’s just entering his prime, and he’ll be playing alongside Luka Doncic, who is elite at generating easy looks for his teammates. Arguably, the best sign of what we can expect was at the FIBA Qualifiers vs. Montenegro this summer, when he dropped 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 46.2% shooting and 40.0% from three.
If he can emulate that level of play in Los Angeles next season, it’s not far-fetched that he might lead Sixth Man of the Year discussions. The only obstacle will be the competition, of which there will be plenty. Before the season even begins, there are several players who come to mind as potential Sixth Man of the Year candidates, including Dylan Harper, Reed Sheppard, and Ajay Mitchell. For Mamu to beat those guys will require an impressive season, but there’s growing confidence that he can pull it off.