Sandro Mamukelashvili praises Lakers' Slovenia team-building

New Los Angeles Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has praised the team's recent preseason trip to Slovenia, crediting it for building chemistry among the many new faces on the roster. The sixth-year veteran, acquired this offseason, discussed the trip and team dynamics in an interview.

Mamukelashvili highlighted the organization's planning for the visit to Luka Dončić's home country. "First of all, shoutout to Luka. I think the organization was amazing, the way they planned everything," Mamukelashvili said. "They showed us a lot of great places, and Ljubljana is a really, really nice city."

Team bonding off the court

He emphasized that the experience was particularly valuable for team integration. Mamukelashvili noted that despite having a large group of new players, the time together made the transition feel seamless. He said the team jelled well during the trip, and the collective excitement he observed left him feeling optimistic about the upcoming season.

Beyond the Slovenia visit, Lakers players have been frequently seen golfing together this offseason. When asked who the team's second-best golfer is behind Austin Reaves, Mamukelashvili pointed to rookie Bronny James. "I've been hearing a lot about Bronny [James]," Mamukelashvili said. "They say he's really, really good, and that he actually plays a lot." He expressed interest in seeing a potential tournament featuring Dončić, Reaves, and James.

Mamukelashvili's role and background

Mamukelashvili was one of the key depth additions made by Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka this summer. He joins the Lakers for his sixth NBA season, having previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, and Toronto Raptors. The forward is coming off a career-best year where he averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

The season ahead

While the team enjoys its offseason activities, the NBA schedule is moving forward. The Lakers are scheduled to report for training camp on September 29. The 2026-2027 season represents a significant transition period for the franchise, which is entering its second consecutive season under new ownership. This season also marks the beginning of a new era for the team, which is now fully building around Luka Dončić as its central star following the offseason departure of LeBron James.