AD is Wasting his Most Valuable Years

[Camby_Bamby]

Again, the Lakers haven't won a playoff game without him in the lineup and haven't made the playoffs without him. This tells you everything about his impact and value. He's been carrying on both ends since he's been there

[The4thHorseman]

Again, the Lakers haven't won a playoff game without him in the lineup and haven't made the playoffs without him. This tells you everything about his impact and value. He's been carrying on both ends since he's been there

He needs to step his ass up if he wants to get his team in the playoffs this season. Can't expect LeBron (who's nearly 45yrs old) to have AD'S back every game.

[Camby_Bamby]

Again, the Lakers haven't won a playoff game without him in the lineup and haven't made the playoffs without him. This tells you everything about his impact and value. He's been carrying on both ends since he's been there

He needs to step his ass up if he wants to get his team in the playoffs this season. Can't expect LeBron (who's nearly 45yrs old) to have AD'S back every game.

lol. Can’t tell if serious.

[kazyv]

It's an interesting situation for him, really. He won't be contending any time soon on these Lakers, but his contract can be expiring in two years. Iif he were to be traded, does his new team have the max money to give to him? If he stays and Lebron leaves, who are the Lakers signing? At that point they might as well give him the max he wants. So it's quite literally a question of getting paid for mediocrity or leaving to prove it but lose 100s of millions in the process.

If I were a betting man, I would bet on AD staying for the money/lifestyle of LA. So at that point it's purely on the FO to get out of this looming contract by trading him after next season. We'll just have to wait and see

[Himothy Duncan]

He was the best player during the title run
Throughout that playoffs
LeBron was better in the finals when he gunned for fmvp, but it really wasn’t a series against that injured heat team.


I definitely think he is undervalued but there’s no way the lakers would trade him.

Man this is straight garbage. He was better for the first round and that was it. Go rewatch the games again or pull up the stats.

AD has only been better last year and this year, that is it. It took a 40 year old LeBron for this guy to overtake him as the best player on the team because he’s soft AF.

[The Master]

If I were a betting man, I would bet on AD staying for the money/lifestyle of LA. So at that point it's purely on the FO to get out of this looming contract by trading him after next season. We'll just have to wait and see

Yeah, this thread is kinda silly (with all due respect), because:

- AD has a title already won,
- he's not an MVP candidate,
- he plays in LA for the biggest organization in the US,
- he'll get any extension he asks for,
- he can be a vital part of championship team, but building a championship team around him as a 1st option would be rather a hard task -- but this is something he already has in his resume.

So what's the point of ''oh, poor AD''? There are instances of players giving their organization more than organization giving them in exchange, but that's not the case with AD:

- Lakers traded Ingram, Hart, Ball, 4th pick and 3 first rounders for AD on 1-year contract because he wanted them to do,
- they provided him a championship-level conditions,
- AD missed +100 games in '21-23 seasons,
- they made it to the WCF in '23 season,

Yeah, Lakers are non-contenders since 2024, but overall that's pretty mutual relation in terms of giving/getting. Jimmy Butler went to Heat for Josh Richardson, he made it twice to the NBA finals as a 1st option, he didn't get as big support in terms of strengthening Heat's roster in the past couple of years, and now he wasn't offered an extension he wanted, so he asks out - and many people are sh****ng on him for being a cancer. Not saying Jimmy is not at any fault, but Lakers gave AD more, gave much more for AD, and received probably less from AD. So that's just for some perspective.

That's not even Dame's case (Blazers were in no position to realistically fight for a title at any point during Lillard being there).

If he wants out, go for it, but pitying him to such degree is certainly interesting.

[HMFFL]

AD will get his number retired in LA but a statue ? Come on, you have to win at least 3 rings (in the same franchise) to be worthy of having a statue erected (anywhere imo)

Mind you i fully believe the Lakers will erect an Lebron statue after he retires (which I kind of think is a bit sad from the Lakers perspective)

When the ownership is focused on winning you have a point. AD's not exactly being setup for success like the past legends is he?

My prediction is If he finishes his career as a Laker. He's 31 years old now.

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If he stays as a laker then he needs a competent team around him for it to be worth it. And i dont trust Rob to do that.

Hopefully he asks for a trade we get a haul, Rob gets fired and Myers comes in and he does the best with what he has.

And that's just it.
It's not AD's fault the Lakers are focused on Lebron James and riding him until he retires. They're not fully focused on winning and the tram is content with that.

AD is content with LA at the moment and that's fine too. I expect him to be rewarded eventually. There's no reason for him to request out since he has everything he wants in LA.....His wife and kids!

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[HMFFL]

Sure man

6yrs in with LA right now and if he stays the course you don't believe he's going to get his jersey retired in LA?

Statue and jersey is automatic if he stays in LA.


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AD will get his number retired in LA but a statue ? Come on, you have to win at least 3 rings (in the same franchise) to be worthy of having a statue erected (anywhere imo)

Mind you i fully believe the Lakers will erect an Lebron statue after he retires (which I kind of think is a bit sad from the Lakers perspective)

Your telling me Hakeem doesn't deserve a statue?

That's not relevant to the conversation but nice try.


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[HMFFL]

Excuse me? Jersey Retired? a STATUE???? Dude when AD's tenure here is done there will be seriously talks if even if his jersey will be retired. Both him and Lebron. If that happens best believe a lot of fans will be looking sideways at that

And if AD gets a statue in LA just go ahead and demolish that the same day lol.

Abdul-Jabbar, Magic, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Chick are the only ones with a statue in star plaza.

AD so far doesn't sniff any of them as a laker legend. Won a chip and got to the WCF. Nice well done Needs at least 1 more title for this to even be a conversation.

Sure man

6yrs in with LA right now and if he stays the course you don't believe he's going to get his jersey retired in LA?

Statue and jersey is automatic if he stays in LA.


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6 years in LA, so far - 1 title, 2 time ALL NBA, 4 time all star. We talking statue? Are you insane? Statue? Yeah, I can see Jersey retirement one day, he ain't getting a statue, like aint even close my man, wtf? Is Pau getting his statue then, what are you smoking?

All time greats get statues. Players that defined entire generations and decades, AD always was second tier guy in his era, let alone all time. When people think of 10s and 20s in 30 years, no one will bring AD as defining player, people will bring LeBron, Steph, Jokic, maybe KD and thats it. AD will be just a guy who was good that not many people know.

Go back and read what I wrote....I said if he finishes his career as a Laker.

Pau was only a Laker for 7 seasons.

During that time, the Lakers ownership was focused on winning and that's not the case now.

AD was never just a guy until he joined the Lakers. There are other teams that would value him more but he's content in LA.

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[UcanUwill]

Sure man

6yrs in with LA right now and if he stays the course you don't believe he's going to get his jersey retired in LA?

Statue and jersey is automatic if he stays in LA.


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6 years in LA, so far - 1 title, 2 time ALL NBA, 4 time all star. We talking statue? Are you insane? Statue? Yeah, I can see Jersey retirement one day, he ain't getting a statue, like aint even close my man, wtf? Is Pau getting his statue then, what are you smoking?

All time greats get statues. Players that defined entire generations and decades, AD always was second tier guy in his era, let alone all time. When people think of 10s and 20s in 30 years, no one will bring AD as defining player, people will bring LeBron, Steph, Jokic, maybe KD and thats it. AD will be just a guy who was good that not many people know.

Go back and read what I wrote....I said if he finishes his career as a Laker.

Pau was only a Laker for 7 seasons.

During that time, the Lakers ownership was focused on winning and that's not the case now.

AD was never just a guy until he joined the Lakers. There are other teams that would value him more but he's content in LA.

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Hes not on pace to get statue at all and hes 31 years old, wtf did you expect him to do from now on for him to get a statue, win several MVPS and titles? He is not getting a statue even if hes a Laker for the next 10 years. Jersey retired, probably.

[cgf]

Davis + Vando <---> Towns + Achiuwa

...does either say yes?

[TheProfessor]

AD will get his number retired in LA but a statue ? Come on, you have to win at least 3 rings (in the same franchise) to be worthy of having a statue erected (anywhere imo)

Mind you i fully believe the Lakers will erect an Lebron statue after he retires (which I kind of think is a bit sad from the Lakers perspective)

Your telling me Hakeem doesn't deserve a statue?

That's not relevant to the conversation but nice try.


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Hakeem has 2 rings, how is it not relevant?