Charles Barkley says Lakers roster compares to 2024 Dallas Mavericks

Charles Barkley maintains that the current Los Angeles Lakers roster possesses talent levels comparable to the 2024 Dallas Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals. Despite skepticism regarding the Lakers following the departure of LeBron James, Barkley projects the team will outperform public expectations this season. He highlights the addition of Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton as upgrades that provide the roster with greater depth than the Dallas squad featured during its championship run. While Barkley anticipates a successful campaign for Los Angeles, he maintains that the team is not currently a championship contender. The Lakers look to build upon a previous season that saw them reach the Western Conference semifinals before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

• 3:46 AMYahoo Sports — Barkley: Lakers are at least as good as Luka Doncic's 2024 Mavericks