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Lakers Rumors: Jared Dudley may have insight to NBA’s return and more

By Ronald Agers

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on December 11, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers defeated the Magic 96 to 87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on December 11, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers defeated the Magic 96 to 87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James is loved by many and hated by some, but the man is the most powerful force in the NBA media-wise

The NBA needs the games back live in front of NBA fans to make money. 

That’s what the media will tell you in general. Here’s the reality, the NBA needs LeBron James back on the floor on ESPN and TNT. Period. It has nothing to do with being the best player in the world. He is the most marketable player in the world. There’s no one else.

This website is the number one in the NBA division at FanSided and has been for over a calendar year. Why? Because LeBron James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and drama follows him everywhere he goes. If he leaves, good luck to the staff keeping the top spot. To illustrate this point, let’s look at his impact on Cleveland and Miami prior to coming to Los Angeles according to HIGHSNOBIETY.

"The year before Cleveland drafted James, they were dead last in terms of average home attendance, some 9,000 fans off top team Detroit. Four years later, they were in the top three, having gained those extra 9,000 home attendees. When he was with the Heat, the often-mocked South Beach fans were always top five in average home attendance. Upon James’ return to Cleveland, the Cavs sat second, just behind the Chicago Bulls, during the entirety of James’ second spell."

Now, look at his effect on the Lakers’ bottom-line based ticket prices immediately after he signed his deal last year.

"Last year, the Lakers were 10th in attendance, with a home average of 18,934 fans, not far off the Staples Center’s 18,997 capacity for Lakers games. If you multiply last season’s $299 median ticket price for Lakers games by last season’s average home attendance, the Lakers earned approximately $232,111,906 from their 41 regular season home games last season. But if prices for the home opener were to become the norm, and we assume that the Lakers will have a 100 percent home attendance this season, that figure could go beyond $424,487,965."

Remember, the Lakers were 37-45 last year. This year, the team is leading the Western Conference at 49-14. With the team winning on their way to the playoffs (More money!) with merchandising and jersey sales, the team stands to lose a ton of money along with a potential lost championship year with LeBron getting older.

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