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Sandro Mamukelashvili

Toronto Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili wants to return to the team this summer after a successful first season in Toronto.

The Raptors’ season ended heartbreakingly when the team was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors were heavy underdogs heading into the series, but they defied the odds and took the Cavaliers to the brink of elimination. Ultimately, however, the Raptors lost in seven games, and their season is now over.

Sandro Mamukelashvili Wants to Return to the Raptors

The 26-year-old Mamukelashvili signed with the Raptors last offseason as a free agent to a two-year, veteran’s minimum salary contract, with a player option for the second season.

In his debut season for Toronto, Mamukelashvili made only $2.5 million, which turned out to be an absolute bargain for the team. In 80 games, including 13 starts, the American-born Georgian shone in a sixth-man role for the team, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes, while shooting .523/.389/.747. He also came in 10th place in NBA Sixth-Man of the Year voting.

Mamukelashvili has a player option for $2.8 million next season, which he is assumed to be turning down as he deserves a raise. Although he will be able to hit the open market and test the free-agent waters, Mamukelashvili is hoping he can come to terms on a new deal with Toronto.

“I think a lot of people don’t know that last year I got offered a lot more money to be on other teams, but to me, the main priority since I’m a basketball player, a competitor, is that I want to win, I want to be part of something. So I think this summer will be the same thing, kind of understanding where I fit the best and what role I can play, and hopefully, it’s going to be here,” Mamukelashvili told reporters at the year-end media availability.

“I really want to be back. I love Toronto. I love the people, I love the organization, and Coach Darko (Rajakovic), I think he was a guy who gave me a chance to go out there and be myself, and as I said, there’s so much more I can do, and better I can get. I think the main thing is kind of understanding that I belong here and be an NBA player, an NBA rotational guy, and I want to have the best possible way to go out there and get better.”

Potential New Contract for Sandro Mamukelashvili

Given his low salary, Mamukelashvili turned out to be one of the best value contracts in the league, and he will get in line for a raise next year. He holds a player option for next season at $2.8 million, which he will surely decline in the hope of more money in free agency. The Raptors do not own his Bird Rights, which may make him difficult to re-sign. However, the team is surely hopeful that they will be able to agree on an extension with him to return after a solid debut season.

If Mamukelashvili does hit free agency, there will be no shortage of NBA teams that will reach out to him in hopes of signing him to a free-agent contract. Given his strong season, he may get offers in excess of $10 million on a multiyear deal, which could make it difficult for the Raptors to match, given their limitations. But with such a great fit between the player and the team, hopefully, there is a way that he can take a team-friendly deal and return to Toronto next season and be a big part of another winning season.