Who Kendrick Perkins believes has ‘edge’ between Warriors, Lakers in 2025-26

Another season of NBA basketball means another season of Kendrick Perkins’ hot takes.The former player and current ESPN studio analyst began in earnest on Sunday’s episode of “NBA Countdown,” when he claimed he still views the Los Angeles Lakers as a better team than the Warriors entering the 2025-26 NBA season.“Both of these teams are going to be here come April,” Perkins said in the minutes leading up to the Warriors’ preseason matchup against the Lakers on Sunday. “Both of these teams are going to be in the postseason. I give the Lakers a slight edge because they have a third option offensively in Austin Reaves.”That third scoring option is a sticking point for Perkins, who wondered aloud whether Golden State has the same offensive depth as the Lakers.“We don’t know who the third option is for the Golden State Warriors,” Perkins said. “Is that going to be [Jonathan] Kuminga? Are they going to rely on Buddy Hield? That’s the question.”The Warriors appeared to operate just fine without a clear-cut third scorer at the end of the 2024-25 season, compiling a 23-8 record when Stephen...