We're just a few hours away from the official start of 2026 NBA free agency kicking off.
Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili is going to be one of those names hitting the open market, after declining his modest $2.8 million player option yesterday. Toronto could still be in a position to bring him back, but a combination of monetary concerns and a wide list of rival suitors, have also contributed to the belief that Mamu is on his way out of the Raptors' ranks.
And thanks to some new NBA intel courtesy of Marc Stein and Jake Fischer from The Stein Line, we have a bit more insight into the Sandro Mamukelashvili free agency forecast. In their joint Substack report from late night on June 30, it states (subscription-required link here):
San Antonio Spurs could look to welcome back Sandro Mamukelashvili in free agency
"Sources say San Antonio is looking to add a forward with its $15 million full midlevel exception and has its eyes on Toronto's Sandro Mamukelashvili and Detroit's Tobias Harris in addition to Cleveland's Dean Wade, the Lakers' Rui Hachimura and the Clippers' John Collins.
Sources say Mamukelashvili is likely to generate multiple offers north of $10 million in average annual value after declining a paltry player option in Toronto worth less than $3 million. And we're told that the Lakers, who have obviously been connected to various big men, have emerged as a notable Mamu suitor."
That last little bit there about the Lakers' reported interest in Mamu has been circulating quite a bit, so it's not much of a surprise to me. However, it's the possibility of Mamukelashvili going back to the San Antonio Spurs that really caught my eye. Before joining the Toronto Raptors last summer, Sandro Mamukelashvili had a three-season stint in San Antonio, where he emerged as sleeper spark off the bench in a limited role.
In fact, when the Raptors and Spurs faced off earlier this year in February, I wrote about how in the pre-game presser of head coach Mitch Johnson, he noted that San Antonio wanted him to return but allowed him grow and explore a new journey in Toronto.
Having become a key piece in the Raptors' constuct this past season, elevating his name and role, perhaps it has created the perfect storm for San Antonio to reap in the benefits of an improved Mamu. Plus, the Spurs were just in the NBA Finals and Mamu has been known to prioritize being part of winning situations — so it's a new and improved squad with potential dynasty implications if things fall into place.
San Antonio has the money to spend that likely eclipses what the Raptors are willing to offer, and even though those other candidates like Tobias Harris, Dean Wade, Rui Hachimura, and John Collins are all solid options as well — sometimes going back to a player you're already familiar with is the way to go. I mean, just go ask the Toronto Raptors right now as they're reportedly all-in on a Kawhi Leonard trade reunion.
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