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It’s been talked about ad nauseam, albeit the point is overblown, that the NBA is losing momentum in the general cultural zeitgeist. Like every television broadcast outside of the NFL, NBA viewership and ratings have decreased in recent years.
But, the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis and other assets back to the Mavericks has breathed new life into the league. So much so, that ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins claims the trade is “saving” the NBA.
Pairing Luka Doncic, one of the league’s five biggest stars, with LeBron James, the league’s biggest star even at the age of 40, is obviously going to be a big draw. And, doing it on the Los Angeles Lakers, the league’s marquee team (sorry, Celtics fans) is going to make it an even bigger draw.
Kendrick Perkins claims that the trade is “saving” the league, which is a bit of hyperbole for a league that just signed a $70 billion TV deal.
"Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA." 😯 @KendrickPerkins is excited about the potential matchups in the NBA playoffs this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/SuUOvPXXdP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 5, 2025
I think he’s wildly exaggerating. But, it’s certainly helping the buzz around the league. And, it helps even more that the Lakers have been red-hot. They’re 7-2 since Doncic joined the lineup, and LeBron James looks rejuvenated. The Lakers looks like true title contenders, and from a ratings perspective, that would be a bonanza.
Still, they’re not saving a league that’s richer than ever.