Sandro Mamukelashvili signs with Lakers and documents Summer League as team photographer

Sandro Mamukelashvili signed a four‑year, $52 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers during the recent free‑agency period. While awaiting his NBA debut, he participated in the Lakers’ Summer League game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

During the game Mamukelashvili took on an unofficial role as a courtside photographer, sitting in the media row and capturing moments for the team’s social‑media channels. He described the experience as a “side‑quest,” noting the challenge of holding the camera steady and finding the right zoom. He joked about grading his own shooting skills, moving from a B+ to an A‑ after capturing a two‑handed dunk by William Kyle III.

Mamukelashvili, a 6‑foot‑9 forward drafted in 2021, previously played for the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks. He grew up a fan of Kobe Bryant and said joining the Lakers fulfills a lifelong dream. He will return to his primary on‑court duties once the Summer League concludes.