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AD is just taking notes from LeBron on how to strong arm a team.
The problem is that having the leverage to strong-arm a team doesn't do you much good if the team doesn't have anything more to give. The Lakers obviously will offer AD a max deal next summer anyway, but other than that...what can they really do to appease him? They have no real assets to use for trade, though I suppose they'll be able to offer a swap for their 2026 pick. But I'm not sure that would bring them much at this point. They're very limited in ways they could improve that team next summer. Even if they dump LBJ to create cap space, there aren't any big-time free agents out there for them to sign.
So let's say the Lakers don't make the Finals this season. They may not even make the conference Finals. And if that's the case...what does AD do? Does he sign a long-term deal with a franchise that has no decent draft picks for the foreseeable future, and only a rapidly-aging LBJ as a running mate? Or does Rich Paul pull a double-cross on the Lakers? AD goes into free agency, and then LBJ demands a trade - which the Lakers likely would be more than willing to give at that point?
Other than whatever they'd managed to get back in trade from whomever wants LBJ for a single-season, they'd be left with virtually nothing, and no good draft picks for the next 5 years. They'd be absolutely, totally screwed.
Honestly, I think the NBA needs to consider strengthening the Stepien rule. The combination of picks going out 5 years into the future and the concept of pick swaps could potentially cripple a franchise. I mean, it couldn't happen to a nicer franchise than the Lakers, but this new era of superstars forcing their way while still under contract is going to lead more and more teams to offer those kind of deals. And that's not really good for the league or for the long term health of most franchises.
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