Lakers ranked as second-most valuable franchise in the NBA by Forbes

The Los Angeles Lakers are lottery-bound once again, while coming off of the three worst seasons in the history of the franchise, all as their team’s newest advisor succeeds mainly in making the team look like more of a dysfunctional disaster with each public appearance.

Despite all of that, the Lakers are still the second-most valuable franchise in the NBA, according to Forbes. The website estimates the team’s revenue at $333 million, and the Lakers’ estimated value of $3 billion ranks behind only the New York Knicks ($3.3 billion) on the list. The Lakers (16) still rank ahead of the Knicks (two) in total championships.

The Lakers ranking so highly isn’t a shock given that they exist as the premier franchise in the NBA’s second-largest marker while selling the third-most merchandise in the league (even without the aid of a superstar player), but it’s worth noting just how valuable the Lakers remain off of the court even when mired at a low point on it.

Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.