Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest take is no exception. In a fiery segment on NBA Today, Perkins boldly claimed that the Los Angeles Lakers are “saving” the NBA following the recent blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the New York Knicks.
Perkins argued that the league was on the verge of losing its balance with an increasing concentration of superstars in the Eastern Conference. He pointed out that with the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, Jayson Tatum in Boston, and now Dončić in New York, the West was in danger of being overshadowed. However, he credited the Lakers for making aggressive moves to keep the conference competitive.
“The Lakers are out here saving the NBA, whether people want to admit it or not,” Perkins said. “Look at what’s happening—Luka goes East, KD and Booker are trying to hold down Phoenix, and Denver still has Jokic, but the Lakers are the ones keeping the West alive. They’re making sure LeBron and AD stay in the conversation, and they’re not backing down from anybody.”
The Lakers have been in the headlines themselves after pulling off a midseason trade for another star, reportedly acquiring an elite scorer to bolster their roster. With LeBron James still performing at an elite level and Anthony Davis anchoring the defense, Los Angeles is determined to remain a title contender despite the shifting landscape.
Perkins’ comments sparked debate among analysts and fans alike. While some agree that the Lakers’ moves have helped maintain competitive balance, others argue that the Western Conference is still in good shape with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Golden State Warriors remaining in contention.
With the NBA playoffs approaching, the conversation around power shifts in the league is heating up. Whether the Lakers are truly “saving” the NBA or just trying to keep up, one thing is certain—the league is as unpredictable as ever.
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