The NBA is watching a quiet shift happen in real time, and not everyone is comfortable with it. Big-name American stars who once felt untouchable are suddenly getting moved, benched, or mentioned in trade talks. That context is exactly why Kendrick Perkins’ recent comments hit so hard. His rant was not about a single player or team. It was about a pattern that keeps repeating itself across the league.
When Trae Young gets traded, Ja Morant’s name keeps surfacing in rumors, and LaMelo Ball finds himself coming off the bench, the conversation changes. These were supposed to be long-term franchise faces. Instead, teams appear far more willing to reset. Perkins noticed it, and he said out loud what many around the league have been thinking but not saying publicly.
Kendrick Perkins Connects the Dots on a Changing NBA
Perkins made his comments during an episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast. He framed the issue as bigger than individual talent. To him, the league is reacting to how stars carry themselves, not just how they score. The timing mattered. Atlanta had already moved on from Young earlier this month. Memphis continues to face uncertainty around Morant. Charlotte’s handling of Ball raised fresh questions about direction and trust.
“We just watched the Hawks trade Trae Young for basically nothing. Now you got Memphis wanting to trade Ja Morant. Just three years ago we was talking about Ja being the face of the fu**ing league. The Europeans are coming in and setting an example on and off the court,” Perkins said on the latest episode of “Road Trippin’
Kendrick Perkins says we have a real problem with American athletes:
“We just watched the Hawks trade Trae Young for basically nothing. Now you got Memphis wanting to trade Ja Morant. Just 3 years ago we was talking about Ja being the face of the fu**ing league. The Europeans… pic.twitter.com/QJWczhXK3y
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 11, 2026
Big Perk was not arguing that American players lack skill. He was pointing to reliability. He compared these situations to those of European stars like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama, players whose teams rarely deal with off-court distractions or public uncertainty. Front offices notice that difference.
It’s hard to disagree with Perkins on this one. Non-American superstars have won the last seven MVPs, and that looks unlikely to change soon. Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum have the best chance at reversing this narrative.
Teams are no longer willing to absorb drama, inconsistency, or long-term risk just to keep a name. Contracts are massive. Windows close fast. If stability is missing, teams move on.
