By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following a stellar 19-point performance off the bench during the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Preseason 2026 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, forward-center Sandro Mamukelashvili talked about his adjustment to his new team.
When questioned about how he processed his free-agency pitch from new teammate Luka Doncic and the coaching staff leading to a deal, Sandro confessed that he completely blacked out from the excitement.
“I didn’t really think of anything,” he described his reaction to the move. “I was like, ‘What did just happen?’ And we were just running around a parking lot at the Steiner in New Jersey, just going crazy. I had a Snoop Dogg song on, so it was good.”
“I was listening to ‘Purp and Yellow’,” he added, jokingly clarifying that he was simply listening to the track rather than hanging out with the legendary rapper himself.
The 27-year-old Georgian big is a veteran of 278 NBA games, bringing valuable experience to Los Angeles after signing a four-year contract with the franchise as an unrestricted free agent during the offseason.
So far in the preseason, Mamukelashvili has adjusted seamlessly, averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks over three appearances, including one start. He has quickly capitalized on the substantial defensive gravity generated by playing alongside the Slovenian superstar, embracing his role as a connector and looking to hip open threes.
JJ Redick’s side has two more exhibition games left, facing the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas on Tuesday and hosting the Denver Nuggets next Friday, before opening the 2026–27 Regular Season.
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