NBA fans witnessed plenty of trades this season, but none quite as seismic as the one that sent shockwaves through the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic has transformed them from playoff hopefuls into legitimate championship contenders.
Now second in the Western Conference, the Lakers have found a rhythm that few believed possible when the trade was made.
The partnership between Doncic and LeBron James has elevated everyone around them, creating a synergy that’s changing the league’s competitive landscape.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins recently offered perhaps the boldest take yet on the Lakers’ resurgence.
“Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA,” Perkins said, via NBA on ESPN. “… All the fans around the world who probably was in and out when it came down to what’s going to happen in June, they’re committed, they’re all in. And when you have ‘Showtime’ back in L.A., now all of a sudden the excitement, the energy and everything else is back towards the NBA.”
“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
Perkins’ assessment highlights something many basketball purists have felt for years: When the Lakers are thriving, the NBA feels more electric.
Questions about whether Doncic and James could share the ball effectively seem almost laughable now, as they’ve displayed remarkable chemistry.
Even more surprising is how the team has improved defensively despite trading away Anthony Davis in the deal.
Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt and Austin Reaves have found new life in this system, playing with a confidence and purpose that wasn’t evident earlier in the season.
The bench unit has stepped up significantly, giving the Lakers depth few teams can match.
Riding a seven-game winning streak, the Lakers look to extend their run when they face the New York Knicks in what promises to be a must-watch matchup.
NEXT: Jeanie Buss Believes Anthony Davis Wasn’t Happy With Lakers
