The Boston Celtics’ $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception is likely going to be the front office’s best tool for improving their roster this summer. Free agency isn’t what it used to be, but there are a few players up for grabs who could solidify the fringes of the Celtics’ squad.
Toronto Raptors free agent forward Sandro Mamukelashvili may be a name to watch for Boston. Mamukelashvili posted career-highs in points (11.2), rebounds (4.9), and field-goal percentage (52.3%) in 80 appearances for the Raptors in the 2025-26 campaign.
The 27-year-old’s strong season makes it unsurprising that he is expected to decline his $2.8 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent this summer, as HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on Wednesday.
“Raptors stretch-five center Sandro Mamukelashvili is coming off the best season of his career at the most opportune time,” Scotto shared. “The 27-year-old big man is expected to decline his $2.80 million player option and earn a significant pay raise as an unrestricted free agent this summer…”
Mamu’s impending availability apparently has teams across the association wondering if he’d be able to be had for around the full MLE.
“There’s an early belief that Mamukelashvili could command the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception or certainly a significant portion of it, with teams around the league wondering if he’ll cost too much for Toronto to retain if they want to remain below the luxury tax, ” Scotto added.
The wrinkle about the Raptors possibly wanting to avoid the luxury tax is an eye-opener. It’s tough to tell exactly what sort of payday the former Seton Hall standout will command come July, but it’ll likely be more than the $7.9 million threshold between Toronto’s current payroll and the tax line.
Mamukelashvili would be a great add for the Celtics
It doesn’t take a CPA to figure out that the Celtics are in position to outbid the Raptors if they’re really interested in Mamu. For what it’s worth, he makes a lot of sense as a fit with them.
Mamukelashvili would give Boston added frontcourt depth -- something they’ve needed since last summer (sorry, Vooch). He’s different enough from both Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to add something different to the rotation. Joe Mazzulla could use him as a stretch four or possibly even a small-ball five, depending on the situation.
The six-foot-nine inch forward has made threes consistently over the past two seasons, knocking down 38.9% of his 3.7 attempts per game this year, and 37.3% of his 2.6 attempts the year prior.
Plus, he’d bring some extra dunks to Boston -- an area in which Brad Stevens mentioned he’d like to see the Celtics improve several times last month. Mamu threw down 47 flushes this past season, which would’ve put him second to only Neemias Queta on Boston’s roster.
Stevens also has a history of bringing in players who play well against the Cs. The five-year vet fits the mold after he posted 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 64.9%/56.3% shooting splits in four games opposite Boston.
We’ll have to wait and see what the Celtics elect to do with their extra cash, but Mamu cannot be ignored as a viable option for them.
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