(12-06-2025, 05:06 PM)mvossman Wrote: For all the talk about building around AD, I feel like the OKC game should be a bit of wakeup call. Its not so much that AD was terrible and had another injury scare, it was more about a reminder on how far this team is from the top teams, especially OKC. They are years away and AD does not fit that timeline. They need to do whatever they can to maximize his trade value and get the best return they can (whether at TDL or offseason). Klay is playing himself into value and should go at the TDL. Kyrie should probably go as well if he can bring back significant value. This season should be about finding out if Nemby is for real, can PJ and Flagg play effectively on the court together, and can Lively ever get healthy.
Just so we're clear, I'm not entirely sure everyone is talking about "building around AD" this year.
My personal take is that it's entirely possible no good trade is available at the TD. Then you have to consider the team's needs going forward. For me, those needs certainly don't assume any plan after the summer to retain AD. I can't see any way he's with the team next year. I certainly wouldn't make roster trades based on that assumption. That's some kind of crazy Nico-think.
I doubt Klay is with the team next year. It makes sense to move him. It makes sense to move Kyrie as well, but I'm not completely sure how that unfolds.