Mamukelashvili joins Lakers
Sandro Mamukelashvili exits Raptors for $52 million Lakers deal
The Toronto Raptors lost another piece of their roster on July 1, just one day after re-acquiring Kawhi Leonard. Sandro Mamukelashvili, a breakout star off the bench, agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Vancouver Sun. The Raptors, nearly out of cap space after the Leonard trade, could not come close to matching the offer.
The signing is a gut punch for Toronto fans. Mamukelashvili — known as "Mamu" — had expressed a desire to return to the Raptors. But the gap was simply too wide. He had earned only about $8 million total in his career before this deal. Now, in a single contract, he will make more than six times that amount.
Kawhi Trade Directly Killed Raptors' Ability to Re-Sign Mamu
On June 30, Raptors president Masai Ujiri sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, three first-round picks, and a pick swap to the Los Angeles Clippers to bring back Kawhi Leonard. Leonard's $50-million-plus salary ate up nearly all of Toronto's remaining cap space, according to The Province. The Raptors had reportedly budgeted around $10 million per year for Mamukelashvili. After the Leonard trade, that money was gone.
Mamukelashvili had declined his $2.8 million player option on June 29 to test free agency. The timing was brutal for Toronto. The team that gave him his shot could no longer afford him. TSN's Josh Lewenberg noted that Toronto "was never going to be able to compete" with the Lakers' offer once they took on Leonard's salary, calling the deal "life-changing money" for a player who once played near the league minimum.
From $2.7 Million Prove-It Deal to $52 Million Payday
Mamukelashvili joined Toronto in 2025 on a "prove-it" contract worth roughly $2.75 million. Before that, he was a journeyman who had bounced between the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs. He had made just $8.1 million across five NBA seasons. Then came his breakout 2025-26 campaign: 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 38.9% shooting from three-point range in under 22 minutes per game, per Sault Star.
He finished 10th in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His agents at Priority Sports turned that one strong season into a fully guaranteed $52 million contract with a player option in year four. For context, his new deal alone represents a 550% increase over everything he earned before it, according to Cold Lake Sun.
Lakers Build Post-LeBron Roster Around New Frontcourt Pieces
The Mamukelashvili signing is part of a sweeping Lakers overhaul. On the same day, Los Angeles also agreed to deals with Walker Kessler (4 years, $130 million), Quentin Grimes (4 years, $60 million), and Collin Sexton (2 years, $19 million), according to The Observer. The Lakers appear to be building a deep, versatile roster for the post-LeBron James era.
Mamukelashvili fits the mold. He is a 27-year-old Georgian big man who can space the floor and play alongside a traditional center like Kessler. Some analysts argue the Lakers overpaid for just one strong season. But others, including Lindy's Sports, called it a "sneaky signing" for a big who gives Los Angeles exactly the floor-spacing it needs.
Raptors Bench Now Thin as Toronto Bets Everything on Kawhi
Toronto has now traded away Gradey Dick and lost Mamukelashvili in the span of 24 hours. The Raptors' bench is significantly thinner heading into next season. Sportsnet analyst Michael Grange warned that while the Leonard deal signals a hunger for a second title, losing a top-ten bench scorer carries real risk for the team's depth, according to Calgary Sun.
The Raptors are leaning heavily on Leonard and incoming rookie Allen Graves to fill the void. It is a familiar Toronto gamble — trade depth for star power and hope it works. It worked in 2019. Whether it works again depends largely on how healthy and motivated Kawhi Leonard stays, according to Vancouver Sun.
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