Matt Barnes has taken a look at the new-look Lakers, and one thing immediately stood out.
“This is the whitest Laker team since the Minneapolis Lakers,” Barnes joked during an interview with TMZ Sports.
Well, OK then.
Barnes, who spent two seasons with the Lakers during his 14-year NBA career, was smiling when he delivered the line. He then moved on to the considerably more important question of whether the roster can actually win. He likes the foundation.
“When you’ve got Luka and AR [Austin Reaves] out there, to me two of the best scoring guards in the league,” Barnes said. “They added some depth.”
The Lakers certainly look different. LeBron James left for Philadelphia this summer, leaving Luka Doncic as the unquestioned centerpiece. L.A. has since continued reshaping the roster around him, acquiring Walker Kessler and adding Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle.
Barnes isn’t ready to predict what it all means.
“Everyone wants to give a hot take and predict what they feel like they’re gonna do,” he said.
He did offer one prediction of sorts about the franchise itself.
“The Lakers, whether they’re up or down, when they’re down, they don’t stay down long,” Barnes said. “So, it’s going to be interesting to see what this season looks like.”
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