Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[F Gump]

Or AD doesn't have the value you think he does.

That's not a dig at you or anyone else. It is possible to me though, that with the new cap issues, teams just aren't eager to acquire a huge salary for a great player who may not be available for a good portion of his contract. That may actually be a reality. Probably everyone on this board has read that somewhere this trade season. Maybe it's true.

I thought I included this angle, but maybe I didn't. If AD's trade offers will only give me junk in return, I keep him, because he's a legit difference-maker on the court. 

I know I said this long ago, and I still say it >>>> if a team wants to get AD, my price is a STAR player, underdeveloped, raw, embryo, not there yet and may take a few years (but who definitely has the potential) in return for AD who is a star player already developed and ready to use. I'll take the risk on the development. You take the risk on the AD health. Otherwise, I keep him and use him. Legit star talent is too hard to find. 

The contract? Sunk cost. Better to have a star player at that salary instead of crap like Trae. 
The extension? It's not an issue to fear imo. Deal with it in 2027 or 2028. Unless teams are lined up to offer him a massive dollar new deal as a FA, there's no need to extend him for such money.
Injury concerns? He is what he is. If he's here, you stay aware, work around it, and hope for the best.