The Toronto Raptors entered the offseason knowing replacing Sandro Mamukelashvili would not be easy. After Mamukelashvili departed in free agency, Toronto responded by signing Kyle Anderson after drafting Allen Graves, two players capable of filling different parts of the role he played last season. While neither is expected to replicate Mamukelashvili’s production on his own, together they could give the Raptors an even more balanced second unit.
How Kyle Anderson and Allen Graves Can Replace Sandro Mamukelashvili
Mamukelashvili Quietly Became an Important Rotation Piece
Mamukelashvili was never asked to be a star, but he became one of Toronto’s most reliable bench contributors throughout the regular season. His ability to play either frontcourt position, move the ball, stretch the floor when needed, and rebound gave Darko Rajaković valuable flexibility.
Whether he started or came off the bench, Mamukelashvili consistently kept the offense flowing without demanding touches. His impact became especially valuable during the middle portion of the season, when injuries forced Toronto to rely more heavily on its depth.
Another underrated part of Mamukelashvili’s game was how quickly he adapted to Rajaković’s offensive system. He consistently kept the ball moving, made smart decisions as a passer, and understood when to cut without the basketball. Those small details rarely appear in the box score, but they helped Toronto maintain offensive flow whenever the starters went to the bench.
However, the playoffs told a different story. Against Cleveland, Mamukelashvili struggled to make the same impact he had during the regular season. His minutes decreased as the series progressed, and Toronto leaned more heavily on its defensive lineups. While his regular-season contributions should not be overlooked, the Cavaliers exposed some of the limitations of his game against elite competition.
Kyle Anderson Brings Experience and Stability
Toronto addressed part of that loss by signing Kyle Anderson. Unlike Mamukelashvili, Anderson’s greatest strength has never been scoring. Instead, he brings experience, basketball IQ and positional versatility. Even at this stage of his career, Anderson remains one of the league’s smartest team defenders. He can facilitate offense as a secondary playmaker, defend multiple positions, and help organize younger lineups without needing the ball in his hands.
That veteran presence fits perfectly with the identity Rajaković has established over the last three seasons. Rather than asking Anderson to replace every aspect of Mamukelashvili’s game, Toronto can allow him to stabilize the second unit while maintaining the team’s defensive identity.
Anderson’s playoff experience could also become valuable for one of the NBA’s youngest rosters. Having played meaningful postseason minutes throughout his career, he understands how to slow the game down, make the right read under pressure, and organize teammates defensively. Those qualities become especially important for a team whose core is still gaining playoff experience.
Allen Graves Could Develop Into the Long-Term Answer
While Anderson raises the floor, Graves may eventually raise the ceiling. The rookie enters Toronto with the defensive versatility and physical tools that have become trademarks of the organization’s recent draft strategy. Graves can help the Raptors because he already projects as a switchable defender, giving Rajaković another developmental piece who fits the team’s long-term vision.
Unlike Anderson, Graves is unlikely to receive major minutes immediately. Instead, Toronto can develop him gradually while allowing him to learn from one of the NBA’s most experienced role players. That patient approach has already paid dividends with several members of the current roster.
If Graves continues progressing, he could eventually assume much of the versatile role Mamukelashvili occupied during the regular season.
Replacing the Role, Not the Player
Toronto does not need one player to become the next Mamukelashvili. Instead, Rajaković can replace that production collectively. Anderson provides experience, leadership and decision-making. Graves offers athleticism, defensive upside and long-term potential.
The combination also gives Toronto more flexibility depending on the matchup. Against bigger opponents, Anderson’s experience and strength could make him the preferred option. Against younger, more athletic teams, Graves’ mobility and defensive upside may allow Rajaković to lean more heavily on the rookie. Rather than relying on one player to fill every responsibility, the Raptors now have multiple options capable of handling different situations throughout the season, establishing themselves as one of the best frontcourts in the league.
Together, Anderson and Graves give Toronto two different solutions to the same problem. They also further the organization’s commitment to building one of the league’s deepest and most versatile rotations. Replacing Mamukelashvili will not come from asking one player to duplicate everything he did. It will come from allowing two of the newest additions to each contribute in the areas they do best, giving Toronto another balanced and defensively versatile bench unit heading into next season.
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