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Why Raptors are parting ways with Sandro Mamukelashvili before free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is heading for free agency.
Despite a quality year in Toronto, it's not clear whether the Raptors will be able to keep the impactful lefty big man on their roster going forward.
Mamukelashvili is coming off a season in which he averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 52.3% from the floor, including 38.9% from 3-point range.
He's turned himself into a major offensive weapon, and he's still just 27 years old.
The Raptors surely would've loved to keep him around.
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Why is Mamu leaving the Raptors?
Toronto wasn't actually in control of Mamukelashvili's destiny.
He had a $2.8 million player option in his contract, and he declined it on Monday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
He had far outgrown that salary.
"Mamukelashvili will have a strong developing market in free agency," Charania wrote on X.
Mamu came to Toronto from the Spurs as an under-the-radar free agent signing. He still isn't particularly well known among casual fans.
It might then surprise many when he gets a rather sizable contract in this free agency period. A big man with his skill will be valuable somewhere.
Toronto can make a push to bring him back, but they'll have to pay him a lot more than that player option would've, and Mamukelashvili might find more money elsewhere.
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