The Pels have 28 games to wait out AD until the season is over. The only team that NEEDS to do the trade now is the Lakers. Why would the Pels bow to their timeline when they are in their own conference?
The Lakers have shown their cards and there is no way they play hardball with the Pels if this goes to July. If anything, with more real suitors, they would give MORE than already offered. If I were the Pels, I would be asking for the every-other-year first rounders, starting in 2020, and pick-swap rights in the intervening years between those picks. Ainge got that from the desperate Nets for a far lesser haul, and in my mind, LeBron (who is running the Lakers) is likely more desperate.
The Lakers have shown their cards and there is no way they play hardball with the Pels if this goes to July. If anything, with more real suitors, they would give MORE than already offered. If I were the Pels, I would be asking for the every-other-year first rounders, starting in 2020, and pick-swap rights in the intervening years between those picks. Ainge got that from the desperate Nets for a far lesser haul, and in my mind, LeBron (who is running the Lakers) is likely more desperate.