The controversial opinion of an NBA winner about the new Lakers of Luka Doncic
The former player Matt Barnes has noticed a very particular aspect of the new roster of the Los Angeles franchise that has caught his attention
The new roster of the Los Angeles Lakers has not left anyone indifferent. The Los Angeles franchise has made numerous changes during the preseason to build a team around Luka Dončić, and former NBA player Matt Barnes has found a very particular aspect of the new roster that has caught his attention.
During an interview with TMZ Sports, Barnes joked about the composition of the Lakers' roster and stated that it is the "whitest Lakers since the Minneapolis Lakers". The former player made the comment with laughter before analyzing the team's prospects in the first season of the Dončić era following LeBron James' departure.
Beyond the controversial statement, Barnes also had positive words for the construction of the team and, especially, for the duo formed by Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Matt Barnes surprises with his opinion on the Lakers
Barnes did not hesitate to use a humorous tone to refer to the new composition of the Lakers. The roster has undergone a deep transformation during the preseason, and the former player found a particularity in that aspect that he wanted to highlight.
"The whitest Lakers since the Minneapolis Lakers," Barnes stated on TMZ Sports.
After the joke, the former player went on to assess the team's true potential and highlighted the offensive quality that Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves can contribute.
"But, again, when you have Luka and AR [Austin Reaves] on the court, for me two of the best scoring guards in the league, they add depth to the team," said Barnes. "For me, it's something to watch. Everyone wants to give their opinion and predict what they think they are going to do."
His analysis focuses on one of the key aspects of the Lakers' new project: the ability of Dončić and Reaves to lead the offensive production of a team that features many new faces.
The Lakers build around Luka Dončić
The arrival of Dončić has led to a clear change of direction in Los Angeles. After eight seasons with LeBron James as the franchise's main reference, the Lakers are now facing the first year of a new era.
The management has used the preseason to construct a roster that can surround the Slovenian with the necessary pieces to compete.
One of the main moves came at the center position. Dončić had asked the franchise to strengthen that position, and the Lakers responded by acquiring Walker Kessler via trade.
Subsequently, the team offered him a contract extension of four years and 130 million dollars, making him one of the important pieces of the new project.
The main moves of the Lakers
| Player | Move | Contract / situation |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | Reference of the roster | Team construction around him |
| Walker Kessler | Acquired via trade | 4 years, 130 million dollars |
| Austin Reaves | Extension | 4 years, 185 million dollars |
| Quentin Grimes | Incorporation | New player |
| Sandro Mamukelashvili | Incorporation | New player |
| Collin Sexton | Incorporation | New player |
| Ziaire Williams | Incorporation | New player |
| Matisse Thybulle | Incorporation | New player |
Austin Reaves also stays in Los Angeles
The other major piece around which the Lakers have decided to build with Dončić is Austin Reaves.
The guard, one of the players closest to Dončić on the roster, received a maximum contract extension of four years and 185 million dollars, including a player option in the final year.
The decision demonstrates the importance the franchise places on the duo formed by Dončić and Reaves.
Indeed, Barnes highlighted both players as two of the best scoring guards in the league and believes that their presence provides a high-level offensive foundation.
From there, the Lakers have tried to surround them with depth and different profiles to complete the rotation.
The Lakers have practically renewed the entire roster
In addition to Kessler and the renewal of Reaves, management has added several players to strengthen the group.
Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, and Matisse Thybulle are part of the new pieces the Lakers have added during the preseason.
The goal is to create a team capable of supporting Dončić and Reaves in the new scenario following LeBron's departure.
Barnes also referenced the usual functioning of the franchise and the expectations that always surround the Lakers.
"They're trying to build the team around him. I don't know if there are new owners or not, so they have to figure it out," Barnes said. “The Lakers, whether they are winning or losing, when they are losing, don't stay down for long. So it will be interesting to see how this season develops.”
The first season of the Dončić era generates excitement
The arrival of Dončić makes this season particularly significant for the Lakers. The franchise has committed to building a project around the Slovenian and has made important decisions both in the market and in renewals.
The trade for Kessler addresses one of the needs pointed out by Dončić, while the continuity of Reaves ensures that the Slovenian will have a familiar offensive partner within the team.
To this, a group of new players must demonstrate on the court whether they can provide the necessary depth to compete at the highest level.
Barnes, although he started his analysis with a controversial joke about the racial composition of the roster, ended up highlighting precisely the main reason to closely follow these Lakers: the combination of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Now it remains to see if the franchise's bet will pay off. The Lakers face their first season without LeBron James in eight years, with Dončić as the new face of the project. The expectations are high, and as Barnes pointed out, it will be interesting to see how this new chapter unfolds.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La polémica opinión de un ganador de la NBA sobre los nuevos Lakers de Luka Doncic
