Las Vegas: Sandro Mamukelashvili Takes on a New Role with the Lakers

It’ll be a few more months before Sandro Mamukelashvili gets to show what he can do on the court for the Lakers. He recently signed with the team right when free agency kicked off.

During a summer league game against the Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, though, he tried his hand at a different sort of role. Mamukelashvili filmed the game from the front row of the media section, embracing a creative side as the team’s unofficial cameraman.

“I enjoy doing extra things,” he mentioned. “They call me the sidequest king, and it’s true—I love it. It’s a lot of fun and I’m learning heaps.”

Photography caught his interest, though he joked, “Sometimes I take pictures that aren’t exactly art.” He soon realized the technical aspects of photography can be a bit challenging.

As the game went on, he found himself cheering and hoping for some exciting plays, even asking out loud to the players on the court, “Run, run…give me some action!”

During a fast break in the first quarter, he exclaimed, “Oh my god, that’s tough,” emphasizing how hard it was to juggle holding the camera steady while getting the right zoom levels.

Slightly overwhelmed by the camera’s weight, he began stretching his wrist and laughing to himself. “It really requires a lot of strength in your wrists,” he noted, reflecting on the physical demands of his dual task.

His enthusiasm shone through as he shared his photos with reporters in the press box, eager to showcase his work. He even jokingly rooted for some of the opposing team’s players to score, admitting, “I could use a statement!”

Talking about capturing the perfect moment, he acknowledged, “That’s the tricky part.” He was still fine-tuning his photography skills, which he humorously rated a B+ at one point during the game.

By the time the first quarter wrapped up, he found success with a two-handed dunk, which boosted his “photography grade” to an A-. “I’m making art right now,” he said, feeling more confident as he received tips from a Lakers social media employee.

Reflecting on the day, he noted, “There were just too many good shots to choose a favorite.”

Mamukelashvili will soon transition back to his primary role on the court. He’ll be donning the Lakers’ jersey after playing with teams like the Raptors, Spurs, and Bucks since being drafted in 2021.

What motivated his move to the Lakers? “All the legends have played for this organization. It’s a top-tier franchise, starting fresh, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” he said, recalling how he grew up a fan of the iconic Kobe Bryant.

Having inked a deal worth $52 million over four years, he joins a roster aiming to rebuild around star guard Luka Doncic.

The Lakers have also made significant roster changes. They’ve re-signed Austin Reeves and brought in other players with lucrative contracts. Mamukelashvili’s contract includes a player option for the 2029-30 season, reflecting the management’s faith in his potential within the team’s long-term vision.

The 6-foot-9 forward, coming off his first year with the Raptors where he nabbed votes for Sixth Man of the Year, recorded career highs in several categories last season, including points and rebounds.