As the NBA offseason progresses and players prepare for the 2025-26 campaign, discussions around star players and their potential impact are heating up. Among those offering their insights is former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, who recently shared his thoughts during an episode of the “Road Trippin’” podcast. Perkins didn’t hold back in expressing his belief that Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis is due for a bounce-back season — and he’s surprised more people aren’t talking about it.
In a league dominated by narratives and hot takes, Anthony Davis is a player who often finds himself caught in a tug-of-war between praise and criticism. Known for his elite defensive skills, versatility, and ability to dominate games on both ends of the floor, Davis has also faced frequent scrutiny regarding his durability and consistency. While his talent has never been in question, his ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level throughout an entire season has sparked debate year after year.
But Kendrick Perkins, a well-respected voice in basketball circles and an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, is not buying into the doubt. On “Road Trippin’,” Perkins argued that Davis is being overlooked heading into the new season. He emphasized that while fans and analysts are focusing on other stars, Davis is quietly preparing to remind the league of what he’s capable of.
According to Perkins, Davis’s combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ remains unmatched when he’s at full strength. With LeBron James entering the twilight of his career and the Lakers seeking to remain in title contention, the team will need Davis to step into a more prominent leadership role. Perkins believes that this scenario sets the stage perfectly for a comeback season, one in which Davis reasserts himself as one of the league’s elite two-way players.
Perkins also didn’t stop with Anthony Davis. He brought up Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks as another player with something to prove. Towns, who was traded to the Knicks earlier this offseason, is facing new expectations in the spotlight of one of the NBA’s biggest markets. While Towns has long been recognized as a talented offensive center, questions around his postseason performances and leadership have followed him throughout his career.
Perkins suggested that both Davis and Towns are entering pivotal seasons — not just for their teams, but for their legacies. For Davis, it’s about silencing the doubters who question his durability and commitment. For Towns, it’s about proving he can be a central figure on a contending team in a city that demands excellence.
What makes these storylines particularly compelling is that both players are incredibly gifted yet have something to prove. The 2025-26 NBA season could be a defining chapter for them, and if Perkins’s prediction comes true, fans might witness a resurgence that reshapes how both stars are perceived.
As training camps approach and preseason buzz builds, all eyes will be on players like Davis and Towns to see whether they rise to the occasion. With former players like Perkins backing them, the motivation — and the pressure — couldn’t be higher.