"His racism is showing again": Fans rip Stephen A. Smith over controversial Lakers 'white dudes' remark
Stephen A. Smith is facing backlash after saying the Los Angeles Lakers cannot contend for a championship because their top three players are white. Smith made the comments on The Stephen A. Smith Show on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, one day after the Lakers acquired center Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a trade. The remarks quickly spread across social media, drawing accusations of racism from fans and reigniting debate over race and roster construction in the NBA.
The controversy stems from the Lakers' rapid roster overhaul following LeBron James' decision to leave the franchise in free agency. With Doncic, Reaves and now Kessler forming the team's new core, all three are white, a rarity among top scoring trios in a league where the majority of players are Black.
Why Lakers' new leading trio sparks controversy
Stephen A. Smith did not hold back. "Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they're going with a bunch of white dudes?" he said.
"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? It's 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 gotta say it, so I'm saying it."
Check out the full show here:
He continued by praising the individual players while still questioning the group's ceiling. "Luka's a bad brother, and Austin Reaves is no scrub, and they both have earned what they have earned. Them 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."
The Kessler trade itself was significant on its own. Utah sent the 7-foot-2 center to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade, with the Jazz receiving unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler is signing a four-year, $130 million contract that includes a player option and a full trade kicker.
Fans react to Stephen A. Smith's hot take on the Lakers' new trio
The response online was swift and largely unfavorable toward Smith. Instagram comments ranged from mockery to direct criticism, with one user writing, "His racism is showing again." Others pointed to historical counterexamples, noting the 1980s Boston Celtics won titles with a starting five that included Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge. On X, one user called it "probably the most racist take" they had seen, while another argued the response would be different if the racial framing were reversed.
The controversy stems from the Lakers' rapid roster overhaul following LeBron James' decision to leave the franchise in free agency. With Doncic, Reaves and now Kessler forming the team's new core, all three are white, a rarity among top scoring trios in a league where the majority of players are Black.
Why Lakers' new leading trio sparks controversy
Stephen A. Smith did not hold back. "Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they're going with a bunch of white dudes?" he said.
"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? It's 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 gotta say it, so I'm saying it."
Check out the full show here:
He continued by praising the individual players while still questioning the group's ceiling. "Luka's a bad brother, and Austin Reaves is no scrub, and they both have earned what they have earned. Them 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."
The Kessler trade itself was significant on its own. Utah sent the 7-foot-2 center to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade, with the Jazz receiving unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler is signing a four-year, $130 million contract that includes a player option and a full trade kicker.
Fans react to Stephen A. Smith's hot take on the Lakers' new trio
The response online was swift and largely unfavorable toward Smith. Instagram comments ranged from mockery to direct criticism, with one user writing, "His racism is showing again." Others pointed to historical counterexamples, noting the 1980s Boston Celtics won titles with a starting five that included Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge. On X, one user called it "probably the most racist take" they had seen, while another argued the response would be different if the racial framing were reversed.
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