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“AR had a fantastic season last year, well-deserving of the contract he got and everything,” Grimes said on 710 AM ESPN L.A. with Mason & Ireland. “He’s one of the best scorers in the NBA, probably. Walker (Kessler), you know, is one of the best rim protectors. I know he only played like four or five games last year, but everybody knows what he does. Nobody wants to go in that paint, 7’2” guy he’s going to block shots. He’s going to give us a definite advantage because people aren’t gonna go in that paint, so we can guard and put pressure on the ball even more knowing we got big Walker down in the paint holding it down. “We got guys like Collin (Sexton), a dog. (Sandro) Mamu, a dog, already getting out here and getting work in. So, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I feel like we’re going to surprise some people for sure with how good we are and clicking on all cylinders, I think.”
The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic. They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Sandro Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Matisse Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity.
Khobi Price: Sandro Mamukelashvili on becoming teammates with Luka Doncic: "Luka and me, born the same year, so like being in Europe, I used to see a lot about Luka and grew up kind of like seeing how good he was and how big he was at that early age. So, it’s cool to just be his teammate now, cause I remember there was rankings in Europe and like I would always see he was always No. 1. So, I was like just trying to get there, get there. Now just being his teammate, it’s amazing and I really do think like he’s going make my life a lot easier.”
“Just the name itself — all of the legends play for the Lakers,” Sandro Mamukelashvili told The Post of why he signed with the famed team. “The organization is a very high-level organization. They’re starting a new page, and it’s just unbelievable to be part of it.” Mamukelashvili, who got a “Mamba Mentality” tattoo while he was in college at Seton Hall, grew up a fan of late Lakers icon Kobe Bryant. “I could only imagine this really in 2K, that I would be playing for this team,” Mamukelashvili said. “I’m so excited, so happy. The coaching staff is amazing, and I can’t wait to just put the jersey on, go out there and just play my heart out every night. You gotta have a chip on your shoulder when you play for the Lakers.”
Of course, there is upside to the new cast of characters. Walker Kessler is a 7-foot-2 young defensive anchor, Quentin Grimes has 3-and-D capabilities on the wing, Sandro Mamukelashvili is a bruising forward with outside range and Collin Sexton can provide instant offense off the bench and competes on the other end. A source familiar with Luka Doncic’s thinking told ESPN he was “excited” about the new players and “looking forward to getting to work with this group.”
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Despite helping the Atlanta Hawks win two playoff games against the New York Knicks, the franchise declined Jonathan Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option. Sources say this decision was strategically done to create financial flexibility, including being able to utilize the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, while still maintaining Kuminga’s Bird Rights, so he can potentially sign a contract at a lower number than his team option amount. It also opens up sign-and-trade possibilities for Atlanta with Kuminga, who’s drawn interest now as an unrestricted free agent. In addition to the Hawks considering a return, Kuminga has been discussed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks in possible sign-and-trade scenarios, HoopsHype has learned. Furthermore, the Sacramento Kings have also called to circle back in recent days and touch base on Kuminga. It should also be noted that following a flurry of additions, including the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade and signings of Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton in free agency, The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported Kuminga is receiving “significant consideration” from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sandro Mamukelashvili: Excited to be part of the Lakers family. 💜💛 #LakeShow
Josh Lewenberg: Mamu really wanted to be back in Toronto. Could’ve seen him taking a discount to stay if the $ was close, but Raptors were never gonna be able to compete with that, especially after taking on salary in the trade. Happy for Sandro. Lakers are a great fit & this is life-changing $
Shams Charania: Just in: Free agent F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal to sign with Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option for the fourth season, sources tell ESPN. Big fully guaranteed deal for George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports .
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NBACentral: The Lakers are expected to land Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, per @JakeLFischer "The whole league is operating as if Mamu and Quentin Grimes are done there" (h/t @hmfaigen )
Yossi Gozlan: The Lakers could potentially sign both Sandro Mamukelashvili & Quentin Grimes while preserving a $41.25 million max slot. One could go into their surplus cap space (~$11 million, could create more via trade). The other could go into the $9.4 million room mid-level.
Marc Stein: Last night we reported the Lakers' rising interest in Toronto free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili. Now league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me that Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes is emerging as another top Lakers target. MORE Intel here: tinyurl.com/bde3f33k
