I really don’t understand the relationships between Rich Paul and AD. We all know Paul’s motivations. But isn’t it a red flag that AD has picked him as an agent and has stuck with him? If the Celtics trade for AD, his agent will be constantly in his ear advocating he leave at the end of the season. And I see no evidence to this point that AD either is independent enough to defy that advice, or that he’s not motivated by glitz and glamor.
This is the problem. AD may be an elite talent akin to KG when we traded for him a decade ago, but most signs aren’t pointing to him being the same in terms of his priorities. And given the change in the CBA since then, which makes it virtually impossible to extend superstars before risking them leaving as free agents (KG was extended with 2 years left on his deal), these types of factors are more important than ever.