Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has never shied away from saying something that turns heads.
He did just that during a press conference Sept. 24 with general manager Rob Pelinka.
Asked about a projected starting five, Redick said he's confident about three spots — Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and 7-footer Walker Kessler — who the Lakers acquired in an offseason trade.
Then Redick added, "the other two spots will not be white guys."
Doncic, Reaves and Kessler are white, with Doncic being from Slovenia. Redick is also white.
JJ Redick on the Lakers' starting lineup:
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) September 24, 2026
"I'm pretty confident in three of the spots. The other two spots will not be two white guys."pic.twitter.com/NL7yKyV4XB
At least 70% of the NBA players are African-American.
There have
been commentary on social media about the Lakers having a noticeable number of white players. Former NBA player Olden Polynice talked about it on Byron Scott's Fast Break podcast when asked during the offseason the "biggest needs" for the Lakers.
"Some Black guys," Polynice said with a smile. "All I know is this, no one is going to talk about the elephant in the room. Why they trying to go back to being the Minneapolis Lakers?"
Scott won three NBA championships with the Lakers.
"I can't wait to see those dudes on the wings," Polynice said. "I can't wait to see them on the wing in a five-out, bro."
The Minneapolis Lakers won five NBA championships in the late 1940s and early 1950s with George Mikan, a white big man, their star player with a roster consisting of white players.
The NBA didn't have an African-American play in the NBA until 1950, Earl Lloyd of the Washington Capitols.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: JJ Redick says final 2 Lakers starters 'will not be white guys'
