JJ Redick highlights how Sandro Mamukelashvili can be the Lakers' X-factor

3 days ago 8

For the 2026-27 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the most intriguing teams to follow. As they transition from the LeBron James era of Lakers basketball, they are firmly in an era led by Luka Doncic.

They have also made major changes to the roster now, as they only have eight holdovers from the 2025-26 season. With Doncic and Austin Reaves as the star players for JJ Redick's primary rotation, he will want to be dynamic with their supporting cast.

Sandro Mamukelashvili will be playing a big role for the Lakers

One of the players who will be important in Redick's rotation will be Sandro Mamukelashvili. He signed a four-year contract worth $52 million, which will be quite a valuable deal for Redick's system.

The Lakers head coach has admitted that he won't have a static starting lineup in the 2026-27 season. He will have certain mainstays like Doncic and Reaves, but players like Mamukelashvili will rotate between the starting spot and coming off the bench.

MORE: Collin Sexton reveals that Austin Reaves has grown as a leader for the Lakers

Despite the potential of him playing off the bench most of the time, it seems that Redick has taken a liking to Mamukelashvili. That is huge for the 27-year-old because his versatility will be a huge factor for the Lakers.

"I think the addition of Mamu gives us a lot of lineup flexibility because of his skill set and who he is as a basketball player. When we did our free agency call with him, he said something like, 'Where do you see me in the lineup? What do you view me as?' And I said, 'Don't get into positions right now. I hate positions. I view you as a basketball player,'" Redick said on ESPN LA 710.

With that kind of trust he has with Mamukelashvili, the Lakers will probably see him as one of the most important players. He might be a role player from the outside, but he will play one of the most valuable roles on the team.