Lakers expected to sign Raptors 3-point specialist and 76ers guard in NBA free agency
Article excerpt
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a pair of free agent signings in Toronto Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili and Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes.
Lakers expected to sign Raptors 3-point specialist and 76ers guard in NBA free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
We have yet to get a reported signing for the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA free agency.
The first day of the legal tampering period is off to a slow start around the league, especially for the Lakers, who have over $50 million in cap space to build their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
However, it sounds like Los Angeles is putting in work behind the scenes, and is working on signing two free agents who will be valuable members of their rotation this upcoming season.
Lakers expected to sign Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, teams around the league are anticipating that Toronto Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili and Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes will eventually sign with the Lakers.
Stein adds that Los Angeles is also still pursuing Utah Jazz restricted free agent Walker Kessler.
"The growing anticipation leaguewide is that the Lakers ultimately secure commitments on new contracts from Toronto free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili and Philadelphia free agent Quentin Grimes while still pursuing their top summer target: Utah restricted free agent Walker Kessler," Stein reported.
Mamukelashvili and Grimes aren't flashy signings, but both players fill massive needs for the Lakers, which are perimeter shooting and defense. Mamukelashvili had a career year with Toronto in 2025, averaging 11.2 points per game on 38.9% from three, along with providing solid defensive play.
Grimes can be an inconsistent shooter at times, but he's a fantastic perimeter defender and should pick up some of the defensive slack in the backcourt, as Doncic and Reaves are below-average defenders.
Assuming the Lakers get deals done with Mamukelashvili and Grimes, which is the expectation, Los Angeles will land two excellent role players while also maintaining the financial flexibility to make other moves, such as signing Kessler.
However, bringing in Mamukelashvili and Grimes likely signals the end of the Rui Hachimura era for the Lakers, as well as Marcus Smart, who is expected to depart anyway.