NBA followers witnessed loads of trades this season, however none fairly as seismic because the one which despatched shockwaves via the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic has reworked them from playoff hopefuls into authentic championship contenders.
Now second within the Western Convention, the Lakers have discovered a rhythm that few believed potential when the commerce was made.
The partnership between Doncic and LeBron James has elevated everybody round them, making a synergy that’s altering the league’s aggressive panorama.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins lately supplied maybe the boldest take but on the Lakers’ resurgence.
“Proper now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA,” Perkins mentioned, through NBA on ESPN. “… All of the followers all over the world who most likely was out and in when it got here all the way down to what’s going to occur in June, they’re dedicated, they’re all in. And when you could have ‘Showtime’ again in L.A., now impulsively the joy, the power and the whole lot else is again in the direction of the NBA.”
“Proper now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA.” 😯 @KendrickPerkins is happy in regards to the potential matchups within the NBA playoffs this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/SuUOvPXXdP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 5, 2025
Perkins’ evaluation highlights one thing many basketball purists have felt for years: When the Lakers are thriving, the NBA feels extra electrical.
Questions on whether or not Doncic and James might share the ball successfully appear nearly laughable now, as they’ve displayed exceptional chemistry.
Much more shocking is how the group has improved defensively regardless of buying and selling away Anthony Davis within the deal.
Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt and Austin Reaves have discovered new life on this system, enjoying with a confidence and goal that wasn’t evident earlier within the season.
The bench unit has stepped up considerably, giving the Lakers depth few groups can match.
Using a seven-game profitable streak, the Lakers look to increase their run once they face the New York Knicks in what guarantees to be a must-watch matchup.
NEXT: Jeanie Buss Believes Anthony Davis Wasn’t Comfortable With Lakers