Oct 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) is defended by Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) is defended by Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like an interesting team this preseason. With a 2-1 record thus far, there have been many things to like about the Purple and Gold. Among these, however, it has been Sandro Mamukelashvili‘s performances that demand particular attention.
Sandro Mamukelashvili was one of the Lakers’ most significant offseason free agent signings. While the forward was initially viewed as a replacement for Rui Hachimura, he has already shown that he is capable of providing much more on the offensive end of the ball.
In Walker Kessler’s absence, the Lakers have experimented with deploying Sandro Mamukelashvili as a big man. Although he has been impressive in this capacity, Lakers star Austin Reaves noted one aspect of the forward’s playing style that helps him stand out and be even more impactful. While speaking about the experience of playing alongside Mamukelashvili, Reaves shared:
“Yeah. He’s a good basketball player. I think he struggled a little bit during the first [week] of camp, and he was just worried about doing the right thing every single possession. I know JJ talked to him, and I talked to him; I’m sure Luka talked to him. We told him that he’s here for a reason. We believe in him, and we want him to be himself.”
“That’s been the main message to him,” he added. “He’s got such a high basketball IQ that if he gets the rebound, he should basically play the 1. And it doesn’t matter if I’m on the floor; it doesn’t matter if Luka’s on the floor. If he gets it and goes, and he has a good matchup, we trust whatever he has planned.”
Even JJ Redick acknowledged that Sandro Mamukelashvili seemed overwhelmed in the early days of training camp, as he was trying to fit into a role. However, both Redick and Reaves agreed that allowing the forward to play his natural game could be more beneficial to the team.
For all intents and purposes, this may have been the best decision the Lakers made. By giving Mamukelashvili free rein on the open floor, the Purple and Gold have allowed the forward’s basketball IQ and playmaking versatility to flourish. When pairing this with his inherent scoring upside, Mamukelashvili has quickly become a useful weapon in the system.
JJ Redick Designs Plays For Sandro Mamukelashvili
Although he is marginally undersized for a center, Sandro Mamukelashvili has been quite effective in the capacity of a backup big man. When noting his perimeter shooting, shot-creation ability in the post, and his playmaking, Mamukelashvili is a dynamic offensive option. However, JJ Redick seems to be taking things a step further.
During a recent Lakers’ practice, JJ Redick revealed that he and the coaching staff had been designing plays specially for Sandro Mamukelashvili to capitalize on his inherent gifts. He shared:
“We’ll have a little Mamu package. We’ve run it a couple of ATOs (after-timeout plays), one of which was the first play of the Golden State game, which was not run correctly. But that’s okay. But we’ll get creative with him. It’ll be fun.”
JJ Redick has already proven himself as a capable tactical head coach. When also noting that his coaching staff features veteran coaches like Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks, the Lakers aren’t lacking in terms of tactical intelligence. Hence, having a player like Sandro Mamukelashvili, who possesses the basketball IQ to understand plays and the skill to execute them, is a blessing.
For obvious reasons, Sandro Mamukelashvili has also thrived after receiving more responsibilities. In three preseason games, the forward is averaging 14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 57.1% from three-point range. While his rebounding figures leave more to be desired, the Lakers will be pleased with his production.
Although the sample size is small, the 27-year-old is showcasing why he deserves a larger role in the rotation. While it is unlikely that he will be a starter for the Lakers, he is positioned to be a vital contributor off the bench, adding valuable depth to their lineup.