Lakers legend has hilarious nickname for Luka Doncic’s revamped roster

The Los Angeles Lakers have a new center, a new supporting cast, and for the first time since 2018, no LeBron James.

That prompted former Lakers and Clippers forward Matt Barnes to give them a new nickname.

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Welcome to the “Snowtime Lakers.”

Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers hold hands during a time out in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Getty Images

With James now in Philadelphia and the franchise fully committed to building around Luka Doncic, the Lakers spent the offseason reshaping the roster around him.

They traded two first round picks and two pick swaps for Walker Kessler, giving them the imposing big man to pair with Doncic they’ve coveted for two seasons.

They re-signed Austin Reaves and assembled a supporting cast that has shooting, size, and compliments the new big three nicely.

Barnes took one look at the roster and delivered the line of the summer.

“They’re calling them the ‘Snowtime Lakers,'” Barnes told the California Post in a recent exclusive interview.

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The former Lakers forward and current “All the Smoke” co-host laughed at the nickname, a play on the Lakers’ famed “Showtime” era and the collection of white players—seven to be exact—surrounding Doncic.

But beneath the joke was the same question hanging over this roster entering the 2027-28 season that was asked last season.

Can they defend?

“Anytime you’ve got Luka and AR at the head, you’ve got two tremendously score-driven guards,” Barnes said. “I’m someone who looks at defense, so I want to see how they’re able to round out this roster and be able to protect the basket.”

Matt Barnes on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Barnes isn’t the only former Laker asking how this team will defend either.

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Four former Lakers — Barnes, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and Robert Horry — spoke separately with the California Post about the franchise’s first season fully immersed in the Doncic era. All four see considerable offensive firepower. Several also…

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Publish date : 2026-09-10 23:11:00

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