Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards would be massive draws if this was remotely true. Ratings were in the gutter during that "Real nikka" era until Stern took matters into his own hands and cleaned up the league's image.
Public interest has been waning ever since KD joined the Warriors but a combination of the pandemic, devastating injuries and team hopping is why it's currently at an all time low.
The NBA has always been a star and narrative driven league. It's going to need another transcendent Superstar and Dynasty to get people tuning in again. The League has been extremely fortunate to have Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kobe, Bron and Steph as ambassadors for the game in quick succession. We don't have a guy in that mold right now.
I thought Flagg could be that guy given all the hype but he doesn't seem to have the game and skillset to take over that mantle.