The Raptors' Quietest Offseason Decision May Be Their Most Important

The Toronto Raptors are figuring out how to move on from Sandro Mamukelashvili, who signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason.

The decision to move on from Mamu wasn't a big surprise considering the fact that several teams were expected to offer him a contract that the Raptors simply couldn't match. Mamukelashvili had a remarkable season with the Raptors, achieving several career-highs, and his play helped Toronto reach the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Year	Team	Points	Rebounds	FG%
2021-22	MIL	3.8	2.0	.496
2022-23	MIL, SA	6.1	4.3	.422
2023-24	SA	4.1	3.2	.471
2024-25	SA	6.3	3.1	.502
2025-26	TOR	11.2	4.9	.523

How Will Raptors Replace Sandro Mamukelashvili?

Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili runs up court after makes a three point basket. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Anticipating Mamu's exit in free agency, the Raptors went ahead of the curve in the 2026 NBA draft, selecting Allen Graves out of Santa Clara with the No. 19 overall pick.

Mamukelashvili and Graves both stand 6-9 and have the ability to play multiple positions. There is a good chance the Raptors will ask Graves to be the team's backup centre, a role Mamukelashvili thrived in throughout his time in Toronto. It's a risk throwing a rookie right into the fire in such a key role, but the Raptors feel as though he is the best option to replace him.

Graves has a lot of versatility in his game on both ends of the floor. As an offensive threat, Graves can score from all three levels, including the three-point line, where he made over 41 per cent of his attempts last season.

Graves is not a player that will be left on the perimeter for other teams to allow to shoot. That will open up spacing for drivers like Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, as well as Scottie Barnes. Considering the fact that Barnes is not as strong of a shooter but is incredible on the defensive end, the Raptors need him on the court. Surrounding him with shooters is the ideal setup.

On defence, Graves has the ability to defend multiple positions with his seven-foot wingspan and also take on the challenge of going after a big man. That gives the Raptors a lot of optionality with their rotations, allowing him to play in the power forward or center role.

Considering the fact that the Raptors don't have much size outside of Jakob Poeltl on the roster, the Raptors may rely on Graves to play more of a big man position than they would normally ask others.

The Raptors really like Graves' upside, but it would be hard to ask him to be an exact replica of what Mamukelashvili was for the team last season. The hope is that the Raptors can get someone that is at his level, if not better, in the coming years, which is why they are investing in Graves.

If they truly felt uncomfortable with the idea of putting him in that spot in the rotation, they would have made another addition in the free agency market with their open roster spot. The Raptors appear content with the idea of Graves replacing Mamukelashvili, and now it's up to the rookie to execute the plan in motion.

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