NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley believes the Los Angeles Lakers will outperform expectations this season, despite their recent playoff exit.
What did Charles Barkley say about the Lakers?
Barkley made his comments on 'The Bill Simmons Podcast.' He expressed strong support for the team's new direction. 'I really want to see the Lakers do well,' Barkley said. 'First of all, I'm a big Luka fan, a big Austin Reaves fan.' He directly compared the new Lakers core to a recent NBA Finals team. 'Luka [Dončić] and Kyrie [Irving] took the [Mavericks] to the Finals, come on, man. This team is probably better; this team is probably just as good as that team.'
How has the Lakers roster changed?
General Manager Rob Pelinka has rebuilt the team around Luka Dončić. The first major move was securing Austin Reaves with a four-year, $185 million contract extension. This deal includes a player option for the final year. Following that, the front office overhauled the starting lineup from last season's playoff run. The team also parted ways with future Hall of Famer LeBron James, who departed in June.
Dončić reportedly requested a new big man during the offseason. Pelinka answered by acquiring center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal. The Lakers were busy beyond that, adding San Mamukelasvili, Koven Looney, Colin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, and Zaiarie Williams. They also drafted Cameron Carr. You can view the full updated roster on our roster page.
What is the team's current form and outlook?
They lost their final four contests, including that season-ending defeat to Oklahoma City. With Dončić now the undisputed leader, he's already taking charge. He recently organized a team minicamp in his home country of Slovenia. The trip included team dinners and activities designed to build chemistry.
This newly assembled group is scheduled to report for training camp on September 29. The front office clearly believes the new pieces will create a better fit. Barkley's optimism contrasts with the team's tough finish, but it highlights the potential seen in Dončić's leadership and Pelinka's aggressive roster construction. Fans can track their progress and upcoming games on our schedule schedule.