12-19-2025, 12:36 PM
(12-19-2025, 12:27 PM)Winter Wrote: But I simply don't think that necessarily means he will be more valuable this summer as a trade piece. And since I don't believe he should get an extension, all I can really do is (sadly) put all of my trust in the Front Office to make the right decision when an offer comes in. If it's not good enough, you can wait.... but you're gambling AD is healthy and a difference maker eveny day he's a Maverick from now until summer.
The injury concerns will obviously always be a thing with AD. No argument there.
But...what if you just wrap your mind around that, like the Lakers did, and stick it out? In other words, what if you stop trying to find ways to maximize him as an asset and start trying to find ways to have him play in Dallas until the end, hoping to find the best version of that? He's going to opt into his final year, so that gives you two more seasons, right? Then, as Chicago pointed out, it might not be the end of the world to simply let the contract expire. That's a big chunk of salary reduction over night, especially if you loop Kyrie into that same plan. I know we're not super into the "powder" plan of yesteryear, but this will be a new front office and a new franchise player. And, if things go well with AD, could you get him on an extension at significantly below his max? Idk, frankly, but I can envision a scenario in which he's healthy enough and cheap enough to make me feel ok about it, especially relative to what the rumored hypothetical offers have been, recently. Until that climate changes, which it might not, I think I'm ok with the status quo and hoping for the best, honestly.
No real suggested plans here, at least on my part, I'm just saying things change quickly in this league, and I wouldn't be quick to just give anybody away.


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