Should Sandro Mamukelashvili Be a Target For The Bulls This Summer?

The Chicago Bulls are in desperate need of more shooting and could use another big man to fill minutes at the center position. While Bryson Graham has done an incredible job bringing in more help on the wing at the forward spots, outside of Nic Claxton and Jalen Smith, there is nobody on this roster capable of playing the five.

This is where 6-foot-9 unrestricted free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili comes in.

After beginning his career in Milwaukee with the Bucks and heading to San Antonio to play with the Spurs, Mamukelashvili signed a two-year deal with the Toronto Raptors. That signing ended up being a great move for both Toronto and Mamukelashvili, or "Mamu," as the fans affectionately called him. The Georgian-American big man had a career year, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 38.9% from three in 21.9 minutes per game off the bench this past season.

That production earned him a top-10 finish in the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year voting as the Raptors went on to make the playoffs as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Raptors went on to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a fight nobody anticipated, forcing a long series before eventually losing in Game 7. Unfortunately, Toronto's rotation shrank in the playoffs, and Mamukelashvili's role shrank with it. He averaged just 14.9 minutes per game and logged under 10 minutes in Game 7 as Toronto decided to prioritize sensational rookie defender Collin Murray-Boyles as a backup big instead.

With emerging superstar Scottie Barnes starting at the four, the highly paid Jakob Poeltl likely retaining the starting center position and Murray-Boyles coming off the bench, there is limited room for Mamukelashvili to continue his rise as one of the league's best backup big men. His play this past season earned him a bigger payday and a more secure role. Because of those circumstances, Mamukelashvili recently declined his $2.8 million player option with the Raptors and will enter unrestricted free agency this summer.

While Mamukelashvili will have many suitors for his services, the Bulls could be a situation where he thrives and continues to develop his game. Similar to Toronto, Chicago has assembled a collection of big, fast, and athletic wings that can help make up for his lack of traditional big-man height. Another similarity the Bulls share with the Raptors is their lack of shooting.

Last season, Mamukelashvili's role grew in part because he was such an effective shooter on a team desperate for floor spacing. With the additions of Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain to a lineup that already features downhill perimeter players in Josh Giddey and Tre Jones, the Bulls could use another big man alongside Jalen Smith who is capable of spacing the floor and opening driving lanes.

Aside from shooting threes, Mamukelashvili also brings impressive athleticism and downhill force for a big man. He is very capable of putting the ball on the deck and attacking closeouts, using his 240-pound frame to finish through defenders at the basket. He understands spacing well and knows when to fill the lane with a cut or give space for a drive.

He is also a solid offensive rebounder, grabbing nearly 1.5 offensive rebounds per game in his limited bench role this past season. He would add another weapon to Tiago Splitter's arsenal as a screen-and-pop threat. Whether it is running pick-and-pop actions with Giddey and drifting out to the three-point line or setting off-ball screens and taking advantage of poor communication, Mamukelashvili consistently punishes defenses for leaving him open.

On top of his on-court production, Mamukelashvili brings a veteran presence who has been around winning locker rooms throughout his career. He began his career with a Bucks team that finished third in the conference before moving to the Spurs, where he was coached by Gregg Popovich. This past season, the Raptors were extremely competitive and often won by doing the little things better than their opponents. Mamukelashvili understands what it takes to win and could provide a steady veteran presence for a young Bulls squad.

All in all, Sandro Mamukelashvili is an intriguing option for a Bulls front office with plenty of cap space available. While he will likely have many suitors, he is worth a look because he fills a position of need now and could become a trade asset in the future. The stretch big possesses a skill set that is highly valued across the league, and his veteran presence could help this youthful Bulls squad mature both on and off the court.