Matt Barnes Says Lakers Could Win Championship With Kyrie Irving

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving won a ring together before, and it may not have been their last … ’cause Matt Barnes tells TMZ Sports the Lakers could be smelling champagne if Kyrie Irving joins L.A.

Matt — who played for the Purple and Gold for two seasons — spoke about the recent Irving rumors out at LAX this week … and he told us if Uncle Drew ends up with the Lakers, it could result in the franchise’s 18th championship.

Barnes thinks Irving — who is rumored to be at a standstill in contract negotiations with the Nets — would be the perfect fit for the Lake Show … which would set him up with his old teammate in Cleveland.

“I think what they have right now,” Barnes said, “if they can learn to co-exist with the group they have now, they’re really close.”

Barnes told us the biggest key for Irving — who missed a ton of games over the years for a bevy of reasons — succeeding or failing in L.A. is his level of commitment to playing.

Of course, the Lakers still have Anthony Davis, who (when healthy) is still considered a top 10 player in the league … but Barnes thinks Kyrie is the missing piece Bron and AD need to win another ring.