ESPN's Stephen A. Smith slams Lakers for building around 'three white dudes'
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The Los Angeles Lakers are making big moves, and they have a particular hue to them.
Both Stephen A. Smith and Bomani Jones observed on social media on Wednesday that the Lakers are, well, quite white.
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and newly traded-for Walker Kessler all fall under that category.
So does the newest signing, $52 million man Sandro Mamukelashvili.
In a scathing social media video, Smith wonders whether the Lakers can win like this:
3 WHITE DUDES?! The Lakers Really Think THIS Can Win a Championship?
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 1, 2026
👇 Watch the full episode. Link in the comments. pic.twitter.com/jTQ2vrDV7C
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Jones, who used to work for ESPN but now operates independently, brought up George Mikan in his thoughts on the matter:
lakers ain’t been this white since they left minneapolis. since mikan system.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) July 1, 2026
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For what it's worth, the Lakers did sign Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton on Wednesday, too.
Doncic is from Slovenia, of course, and Mamukelashvili spent much of his childhood in the country of Georgia (although he was born in New York City).
Reaves and Kessler are both from the U.S.
The reality is that all that matters is the talent on the court and how it works together. But if things aren't going well, Smith and Jones might bring up this point again.