Lakers Coach JJ Redick Jests About Roster's Racial Makeup

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has quipped that the final two starting positions on his team will not be filled by white players. Redick made the statement during a joint media availability with general manager Rob Pelinka, addressing the team's roster ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler are set to form the core of the team's starting five. However, the remaining two spots are currently open for competition. Redick's remarks come amidst an offseason where jokes about the racial composition of the Lakers' roster, which includes six white players, have circulated.

Former Lakers player and "All the Smoke" co-host Matt Barnes recently referred to the team as the "Snowtime Lakers," a playful nod to the franchise's historic "Showtime" era. Redick's lighthearted comment about the starting lineup's potential appearance seems to acknowledge these discussions.

Redick expressed confidence in the team's depth, particularly at the wing positions. He stated that training camp, which begins next week, will involve significant competition for the open starting roles and playing time. "We have great wing depth, and I’m really excited for camp to start next week and for us to go through the preseason process," Redick said. "There’s a lot of minutes, there’s starting spots that are up for grabs. We’re going to have a highly competitive camp."

Players such as Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Ziaire Williams are expected to compete for starting positions, alongside Jake LaRavia and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Dalton Knecht is also a potential candidate. The addition of nine new players to the roster offers multiple strategic possibilities for filling out the starting unit.