Sandro Mamukelashvili, Lakers
Oct 6, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Without a doubt one of, if not the biggest standout, for the Los Angeles Lakers during the preseason has been big man Sandro Mamukelashvili. The new Lakers forward has shown off his array of offensive skills, operating in the halfcourt and transition, both off the ball as a floor spacer and with the ball in his hands, getting his own shot and creating for his teammates.
One player who has certainly been impressed with what he’s seen from Mamukelashvili so far has been Austin Reaves, who had a ton of praise for the big man.
“He’s a good basketball player,” Reaves said after Lakers practice on Sunday. “I think he struggled a little bit during the first of camp and I think he was just, he was worried about doing the right thing every single possession. I know JJ talked to him, I talked to him, I’m sure Luka talked to him and we told him that he’s here for a reason. We believe in him, we want him to be himself and that’s been the main message to him.”
And Reaves wasn’t done with his praise as he expressed great trust in Mamukelashvili’s IQ and decision on the court.
“He’s got such a high basketball IQ that, if he gets the rebound he should basically play the one,” Reaves added.
“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 has a good matchup we trust whatever he has planned to do. So he’ll be really good for us.”
The ability for a big man to rebound and push the ball opens up so much for a team’s offense and Mamukelashvili has that in his bag. In fact, he is averaging 3.7 assists in the first three preseason games, second most on the team, in addition to ranking second in scoring so far while shooting 57.1% from the field and 3-point range.
Mamukelashvili’s skill level and IQ will only make the Lakers’ offense that much better and Reaves and the rest of the squad have full belief that good things will happen when he has the ball in his hands.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is enjoying being Austin Reaves’ teammate
Mamukelashvili is still getting to know all of his new teammates on the Lakers, but one player he is already growing closer with is Reaves, whom he praised both as a player and a leader.
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