Lakers Free Agency Rumors: Sandro Mamukelashvili Interest

Even with Deandre Ayton expected to exercise his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season, the Los Angeles Lakers remain focused on bolstering their front court.

The team is reportedly set to meet with restricted free agents Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler at the start of free agency on Tuesday afternoon, but they won’t be alone in their pursuit and may have to consider other options.

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers are interested in Toronto Raptors free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili:

But people around the NBA, tasked with trying to make sense of the evolving free-agency landscape, started to link the Lakers to a wide range of players throughout Monday. One name has come up from multiple league sources: Toronto forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Mamukelashvili declined his $2.8 million option with the Raptors Monday, with league sources believing he could command $10 million or more in free agency.

Mamukelashvili is coming off a career year with the Raptors that saw him average 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.8 steals in nearly 22 minutes across 80 games. He also made 38.9% of his attempts from behind the three-point line and would give the Lakers another big man who could stretch the floor.