What happened: Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is declining his $2.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season to become an unrestricted free agent. The decision was reported by agents George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports to ESPN. He is expected to draw a developing market on the open market.

Why it matters: Turning down a guaranteed $2.8 million signals confidence that Mamukelashvili can command a larger deal, and it adds a frontcourt piece to a free-agent class that contending teams will monitor for depth. For Toronto, it opens a roster spot and a decision on whether to re-sign him at a higher number or reallocate the money elsewhere.

What to watch: Watch where Mamukelashvili's market sets once free agency opens and whether the Raptors move to retain him or let him walk.