TMZ Sports caught up with the retired NBA player-turned-podcasting star at Ryan Garcia's open workout in Los Angeles this week ... and Barnes weighed in on one of the league's most polarizing hoopers.
“A lot of people wanna say his dad got him drafted, and that may be true, may not be true,” Matt told us. “But Bronny has a lot of talent, and I just thought if he would’ve stayed just one more year, he could’ve did it on his own.”
Jeanie Buss is fighting like hell to keep the Los Angeles Lakers in the family ... but all five of her siblings are making it clear they're ready to move forward with selling their remaining ownership stake.
Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss released a statement in response to Jeanie's plans to contest the sale on Tuesday ... and they certainly haven't changed their minds, saying they "remain united in that decision."
"We intend to move forward thoughtfully, respectfully and through the appropriate process," the statement said, according to Shams Charania.
3:30 PM -- Not so fast -- Jeanie Buss' attorney just fired back with a letter to her siblings' legal teams ... stating the sale CANNOT happen.
In the letter, Adam Streisand cited a court order that states a sale can't be made without Jeanie's approval ... making the vote that was reported on Monday "void." It also stated Jeanie must remain the Lakers' owner for life.
"On behalf of Jeanie Buss, I demand that your clients make clear publicly that Jeanie Buss is the Controlling Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and that your clients shall take no action on this supposed 'vote' to sell the 17.8% stake," Streisand wrote, according to CNBC.
He also accused Joey and Jesse of feeding Shams Charania bad info maliciously ... claiming they have a "years-long pattern" of doing so.
It truly is a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers -- the Buss family has sold its remaining 17.8% stake in the team to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
According to Shams Charania, the Buss family trust, which consists of Jeanie, Jim, Johnny, Jamie, Joey and Jesse, recently received the necessary votes to push the sale through.
As a result of the transaction, Jeanie will no longer serve as governor of the Lakers, as at least 15-percent ownership is required to hold the position.
TMZ Sports caught up with the Hall of Famer and Lakers legend outside "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Tuesday ... and had to get his thoughts on the big matchup going down on December 25.
Bob IgerandJosh Kushnerare buying the Los Angeles Lakers ... and the price tag is jaw-dropping!!
Disney’s 75-year-old longtime boss and the billionaire Thrive Capital founder are locking down the Purple and Gold for a record-shattering $12 BILLION, according to multiple reports.
It's the highest price ever paid for an American sports franchise ... by far.
Kushner and Iger had been heavily involved in attempting to bring an NBA franchise to Las Vegas, but in a reversal, inked the deal to acquire the Lake Show.
Luka Doncic's ex-fiancée Anamaria Goltes said she wanted to settle their issues amicably ... but TMZ Sportshas learned she's taken their fight to Slovenia -- and as far as she's concerned, the cost of settlement is $50 MILLION!
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Anamaria has filed a new claim in Slovenia ... and she is seeking $40 million for herself ... we assume the remaining $10 million is for their two daughters. Luka has said he'd do anything for his kids, so $10 mil may be realistic for them, but the $40 mil is a whole other story.
We're also told she wants to strip Luka of some of his custody rights. Currently, he has the kids at least 2 days a week, and she wants to reduce it to one day a week.
As we reported, Anamaria filed docs in Los Angeles this week asking to withdraw her child support petition ... saying she wanted to resolve the matter "amicably and by a mutual agreement" in the best interests of their children. But apparently, that will come at a steep price.
Luka Doncic's ex-fiancée is dropping her court case over child support for their two children, TMZ Sports has learned.
In court docs Anamaria Goltes submitted Monday that were obtained by TMZ, she requested a Los Angeles judge dismiss her request without prejudice, reasoning ... "I am withdrawing my Petition for Child Support with the specific intention of resolving this matter amicably and by a mutual agreement which is in the best interests of our children."
Anamarie's request to dismiss was rejected by the court, due to the paperwork missing Luka's signature.
As TMZ first reported, the NBA star moved to dismiss the case -- arguing that her petition for child support and attorneys' fees had no legal grounds because it was filed in California ... when the kids live in Slovenia.
Now that LeBron James is heading to Philly, should Bronny follow his pops?? Devean George tells TMZ Sports he's against the idea ... 'cause now's the time to see what the young hooper can do on his own.
We caught up with the three-peat Lakers alum this week -- prior to the King's shocking 76ers announcement -- and asked about the Bronny situation with No. 23 no longer on the squad.
James Worthy isn't saying "good riddance" to LeBron James ... telling TMZ Sports it's a new era of the NBA -- so he'll appreciate the one ring the King brought to the City of Angels.
Some folks in Laker Nation were happy to see the four-time champion leave town ... essentially saying he wasn't a good fit for the franchise or could live up to the expectations put on him.
NBA star Anthony Davis has sold his home for a large sum of $32M ... and when you look at what the house offers, you'll understand why.
The Washington Wizards big man listed his 8-bedroom estate for $40 Mil last year and on Thursday the 7-footer closed on the sale.
The crib is in Bel Air Crest ... with the property spanning 17,254 square feet, with an elevator, theater, game room, wet bar, wine cellar, home gym, barber shop, tennis court, cabanas, outdoor chef's kitchen, batting cage, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool ... cause why not?
The Los Angeles Lakers were busy this offseason ... but Kenny "The Jet" Smith doesn't think their new additions will fill the gap LeBron James is leaving behind, 'cause he tells TMZ Sports their new roster doesn't have enough to compete for a championship.
We caught up with the NBA champ and "Inside the NBA" analyst out at LAX this week ... and asked his thoughts on the state of the Purple and Gold.
The Lakers brought in Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and re-signed Austin Reaves so far ... and Smith said Luka Dončić and the crew will definitely be a playoff team -- but that's about it.
The NBA world is patiently waiting for LeBron James' next move ... but he doesn't seem to have a care in the world -- the King is having a great time on the golf course on the 16th anniversary of his infamous "Decision."
The four-time champion and current free agent posted video of his outing on Wednesday ... showing him vibing out to Tupac's "Check Out Time" in between holes.
Meanwhile, the Association is trying to figure out where the all-time leading scorer will play next season after parting ways with the Los Angeles Lakers last week.
Byron Scott feels LeBron James could've done more with the Los Angeles Lakers ... telling TMZ Sports he's giving the King a "B" grade for his time in Purple and Gold.
We caught up with the Showtime Lakers alum this week ... fresh off the news that James would be playing elsewhere for his 24th season in the NBA.
Scott said the change is a win for both sides -- but when reflecting on the past eight seasons, he admitted he expected multiple championships with James ... not just the one he secured in 2020.
LeBron Jamesdidn't chose free agency over the Los Angeles Lakers overnight ... Rich Paulsays The King's odds to return to the Lakers were hovering at around 80% until LBJ decided to move on.
Speaking on his "Game Over" podcast with Max Kellerman, the Klutch Sports boss says LBJ initially leaned toward another season in L.A. But after weeks of conversations, he says the four-time NBA champ ultimately decided he was "100% sure" it was time to move on.
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Rich says the turning point here had nothing to do with squeezing out one last max contract. Instead, he says he challenged LeBron to figure out the one thing he wanted most heading into Year 24 ... and the answer was simple: happiness.
The 7'2" center is expected to be a hot commodity this offseason ... and the Lakers are reportedly super interested in bringing him on board after four seasons with the Utah Jazz.
We caught up with 24-year-old Kessler at LAX minutes after the news broke that James would not return to L.A. for the 2026-27 season ... and it's safe to say he's not canceling any appointments over it.
LeBron James is speaking out after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers ... thanking the organization for adding him to the family eight years ago.
The 41-year-old King went to X a few hours after the news broke ... and shared his heartfelt reaction to the team's statement on his departure.
"No, THANK YOU!" James said on Tuesday. "Truly a honor to wear the 💜💛 while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint. 🙏🏾🫡👑."
