Austin Reaves backs Sandro Mamukelashvili to push the ball after rebounds for Lakers

Austin Reaves says the Lakers trust Sandro Mamukelashvili to push the ball after a rebound, even when Reaves or Luka Doncic is already on the court. In David Yapkowitz’s October 12 ClutchPoints report, Reaves described the forward’s basketball IQ as a reason to give him that freedom.

Reaves made the comments after the Lakers’ October 11 practice. His point was about creating an opportunity in transition, not announcing Mamukelashvili as a starting point guard.

Encouragement after an uncertain start to camp

Reaves said Mamukelashvili had initially seemed concerned about doing the right thing on every possession. He said coach JJ Redick and teammates had encouraged him to be himself.

“We believe in him and we want him to be himself and that’s been the main message to him,” Reaves said in the report.

Freedom to start the possession

Reaves said Mamukelashvili’s feel for the game meant he could bring the ball up after collecting a rebound and attack a favorable matchup. He stressed that the presence of the Lakers’ regular ball-handlers would not remove that trust.

That describes a possible responsibility within an offensive possession. It does not establish a permanent position change or settle Los Angeles’ lineup for the regular season.

The Lakers’ evaluation has also been affected by player availability. Our Kessler and Sexton practice update separates practice progress from game clearance.