As Victor Wembanyama breaks out and emerges as a legitimate MVP candidate, leaving his San Antonio Spurs for the Toronto Raptors might not have been the best career move.
However, with the Spurs adding Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk this offseason, Sandro Mamukelashvili was the odd man out. A fan-favorite in San Antonio, he signed with the Raptors, leaving on good terms in pursuit of a bigger role.
Through three games with the Raptors, he is playing more minutes than ever before. He is averaging nine points and 2.7 rebounds, not ideal for a backup center, but he is doing an excellent job spacing the floor.
To be the best version of himself, he simply needed to get out of a 7-4 (or bigger!) shadow.
GettyTORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 24: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks controls the ball during the second half against Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on October 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Chisholm/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors Landed Key Backup Center
In four seasons spent with the Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks, Mamukelashvili wasn’t a star. Sure, he scored 34 points in a Spurs’ win over the New York Knicks, but he was, more often than not, the last man off the bench.
In a bigger role with the Raptors, surrounded by scorers like Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett, Mamukelashvili is starting to thrive.
“All the conditions are there: He has the backup center job to himself, behind a guy not exactly renowned for his offense or floor-spacing repertoire in Poeltl, and he can also move to power forward and play next to Big Jak,” outlined The Athletic’s John Hollinger. “Mamukelashvili had seven points and three assists in 17 minutes in Toronto’s opening night rout of Atlanta, but I expect bigger things as the year goes on.”
Mamu can dish the ball, space the floor, and handle the rock. He is not a standout defender, nor is he a reliable volume scorer, but in the backup spot, there’s not much more you could ask from him.
By getting out of Wembanyama’s shadow, Mamukelashvili is poised to have the best season of his career.
Wemby’s Unique Playstyle Limited Mamukelashvili
Most players seem to get better when playing next to Wembanyama. Stephon Castle won Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant and De’Aaron Fox listed the Spurs as ideal landing spots, and Chris Paul prolonged his career in San Antonio.
However, as Zach Collins and Rudy Gobert already learned, Wembanyama is at his best when he is the only center on the floor. As a result, the Spurs didn’t play Mamukelashvili too much out of fear of him clogging the lane.
Add in more accomplished players like Kornet and Olynyk this summer, and it was readily clear that Mamu was not a part of the Spurs’ long-term plans.
As a mobile center who can serve as a backup passing hub, Mamukelashvili has a very unique set of skills that allow him to share the floor with other big men. However, Wembanyama is even more unique, inadvertently pushing Mamu out of San Antonio.
The Raptors, meanwhile, are thrilled!
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