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

[Chicagojk]

I don't believe Stein is lying about potentially not having any hard offers or AD.   I do think with the Young trade, that with a healthy AD playing towards the trade deadline that the Hawks would have been a prime candidate.   I have no doubt that both teams may have compromised heading up to the trade deadline.   I also think a healthy AD playing to the deadline would bring a few other solid offers. 

I was in "team patient" mode with AD.   I may have swallowed my pride near the trade deadline and accept a non-excited offer just to move him.   I have been struggling most about is that I was really worried about a "contract extension" push by AD the rest of the season.  This season is already lost and AD playing for an extension is worst case for me.  Especially now.   Next season?  Fine...go for it.   Nothing to lose with that.

With his latest injury, teams are going to be wary with offers.  So he will need a real good stretch of play to bring some back to the table.   Healthy play and his contract timeline decreasing may make him tradeable again.    I will cheer on a extension push from him next year.   This year.....that was my worst nightmare.  

Also, it wouldn't hurt if AD has surgery to pay the doctor some $$$.   Maybe a well placed, "Surgery went awesome and his fingers are some of the best structured fingers I have seen.  In addition, we took a look at his abductor, calf, eye when under the knife and we are amazed how healthy his body is.   We think he has a good 7 years left of high quality basketball left."