Unless L.A. pulls off a move for the likes of Jonathan Kuminga or Cam Johnson–and both have obstacles in place–Mamukelashvili is the team’s best option as the starting power forward. Some of that advantage would be blunted if the Lakers had to start Mamukelashvili next season at power forward. And unless they get someone new in or vow to try again with the much-maligned Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers will need to have Mamukelashvili as the starting power forward. Jake LaRavia has played power forward before, and played 39% of his minutes there last year, according to Basketball-Reference.com, but he’s a streaky shooter who is 6-foot-7 and not really a better defender than Mamu. Yet it still seems as if the Lakers, with Kessler in the fold, plan to use Mamukelashvili more as a power forward.”