Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili To Decline $2.8MM Player Option

Mamukelashvili figures to cash in after playing for the $2.5MM veteran’s minimum this season. He far outperformed that deal and will likely land a multiyear contract topping $10MM per season, states Josh Lewenberg of TSN (Twitter link). Lewenberg adds that Toronto hopes to re-sign Mamukelashvili, but will need to part with salary elsewhere to be able to make a competitive offer. The team’s reported pursuit of Kawhi Leonard also complicates the situation.

The 27-year-old Mamukelashvili turned in a breakout season just in time for free agency. He appeared in 80 games (13 starts) and averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per night while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range. The performance earned him a few votes for Sixth Man of the Year honors. 

Mamukelashvili began his career in 2021 on a two-way contract with Milwaukee. He was claimed off waivers by San Antonio in March of 2023 and remained there until signing a free agent deal with Toronto last summer. 

A report last week stated that the Raptors are budgeting about $10MM per year to re-sign Mamukelashvili and would prefer to close a deal before free agency begins Tuesday evening. However, he may get better offers from teams that are seeking a big man who can shoot from the outside and are willing to use a significant portion of the $15MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception.