NBA free agency kicks off Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, and two Western Conference heavyweights are already circling the same target. The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers both have their eyes on Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, according to multiple league sources.
Mamukelashvili declined his player option worth less than $3 million for next season, and it’s looking like a smart bet. Reports from Marc Stein and Jake Fischer at The Stein Line say the 25-year-old could land a deal north of $10 million per year. That’s a massive raise for a guy who just put up career numbers.
Last season with the Raptors, Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds across 80 games while knocking down nearly 39 percent of his 3.7 three-point attempts per game. That kind of floor-spacing from a big man is exactly what contenders are looking for.
The Spurs are coming off an NBA Finals appearance and need frontcourt depth. They have their full $15 million midlevel exception to play with, and sources say San Antonio is targeting Mamukelashvili along with Detroit’s Tobias Harris, Cleveland’s Dean Wade, the Lakers’ Rui Hachimura, and the Clippers’ John Collins. The Lakers, meanwhile, are hunting for size and shooting to plug in around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Dan Woike of The Athletic confirmed the Lakers’ interest Monday, writing that multiple league sources linked Los Angeles to Mamukelashvili. “One name has come up from multiple league sources: Toronto forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili,” Woike reported. He added that league execs expect Mamukelashvili to command at least $10 million annually after his breakout season.
The Other Name to Watch: Dean Wade
Mamukelashvili isn’t the only forward generating buzz. Cleveland’s Dean Wade is also drawing serious interest. ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported that several teams are lining up to pursue Wade, who could spark a bidding war and potentially land the full midlevel exception. The Pistons, Spurs, Lakers, Nets, and 76ers are all reportedly in the mix.
Wade put up 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists last season while shooting 36.2 percent from deep in 59 games. Not flashy numbers, but his 6-foot-9 frame and defensive versatility make him a useful rotational piece for playoff teams.
It’s still early in free agency, but the Lakers and Spurs look like they’re about to go head-to-head for at least one of these frontcourt options. Whether it’s Mamukelashvili, Wade, or both, the opening days of the market should give us a clearer picture of how both rosters are shaping up.
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