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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is under fire for his latest hot take on th LA Lakers.
Earlier this week, LeBron James announced that he was leaving the Lakers to join another team.
After LeBron’s announcement, the Lakers traded for Walker Kessler, and signed him to a massive $130 million deal.
The Lakers will now be led by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Kessler, which seemed to make Smith upset.
During his SiriusXM show, Smith blasted the Lakers because he feels that no team in the NBA can win a championship led by “three white dudes.”
“Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they going with a bunch of white dudes? Your three top players are white dudes? Really? This ain’t golf. This ain’t baseball. Hell, it ain’t even soccer. What y’ all think this is? Basketball? In NBA history, when have you seen your three most prominent players on a basketball team all be white? And that takes you to the promised land.”
“Somebody got to say it, so I’m saying it. This is basketball. I’m not complaining. I’m simply making the point. The Los Angeles Lakers. You ain’t going anywhere being led by three white dudes. In today’s generation of basketball, I’m letting you know right now, it ain’t happening. And Luka’s a bad brother, and Austin Reeves is no scrub. And they both have earned what they have earned. And then with LeBron James or some other brothers, I get. But those two. And Walker Kessler, you ain’t scaring anybody with that. And Rob Pelinka has done made this white dude Central. No wonder LeBron James walked out the door.”
3 WHITE DUDES?! The Lakers Really Think THIS Can Win a Championship?
👇 Watch the full episode. Link in the comments. pic.twitter.com/jTQ2vrDV7C
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 1, 2026
Smith’s take angered fans on social media.
This is quite possibly the most gross sports take I’ve ever heard. https://t.co/KLXw1AjRF8
— Mike Gabriel (@MikedupPod) July 1, 2026
This is equivalent to black QBs can’t lead a team. Just stupidity https://t.co/j2JvmV9K9Z
— dinos (@dinos_06) July 1, 2026