Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick isn't waiting for the regular season to drop a headline-worthy quip. During a press conference on Thursday, Redick stirred up social media with a lighthearted yet pointed remark about his starting lineup for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
Redick confirmed that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will anchor the offense—a no-brainer given they averaged 33.5 and 23.3 points per game, respectively, last season. The Lakers also made a splash by acquiring 7-foot-2 center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster trade that involved unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler, who posted 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, inked a four-year, $130 million extension, and the front office is banking on him to shore up the frontcourt.
But the burning question remains: who fills the remaining starting spots? Redick, with a grin, said he's "pretty confident" in three of the five spots, adding, "The other two spots will not be two white guys." The comment, which drew laughs from reporters, quickly went viral, with fans and pundits debating whether it was a harmless joke or a subtle dig at the team's offseason roster construction.
The Lakers went on a spending spree this summer, signing Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton in free agency. Grimes is widely projected to start, while Ziaire Williams and Jake LaRavia have also been mentioned as candidates. Mamukelashvili, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Toronto Raptors last season, could thrive as a sixth man if he maintains that production in Los Angeles.
Redick's comment also echoes a broader conversation about race and representation in the NBA, a topic that has sparked ESPN's recent rebuttal to Dan Le Batard's claims about hiring practices. While Redick's joke was likely in jest, it highlights the unusual makeup of a potential starting five that could feature Doncic, Reaves, Kessler, and possibly two other white players—a rarity in a league where the majority of players are Black.
As the Lakers gear up for their season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21, Redick's quip adds a layer of intrigue to an already eventful offseason. The team's chemistry and lineup decisions will be under the microscope, and Redick's candor suggests he's ready to embrace the spotlight—both on and off the court.
For now, Lakers fans can only speculate on who will round out the starting five, but one thing's for sure: Redick knows how to keep the conversation buzzing. Whether his comment was a playful jab or a serious clarification, it's already become one of the most talked-about moments of the preseason.
