I'm not defending anything. I've said it's a stupid trade multiple times.
That doesn't change the fact that it's still a good roster. The third best center is Gafford, and AD can play the 4 next to both Lively and Goafford.
I realize yall know nothing about AD and how good he is. He's very very good. Get him surgery and get him right for next season. He just played a full season last year.
Caleb Martin was the 3rd best player on a finals team in 2023. PJ, Naji, Klay, and Christie are all good players still. I don't think it will be that hard to find a couple competent ball handlers in free agency who want to play a lot of minutes before Kyrie comes back.
At minimum, the team is good enough to maintain a play-in spot without Kyrie. This was the season from hell and it's still possible we're in the play-in (not saying I want to be).
If you get Kyrie back next season anytime before the playoffs and are able to be healthy, it's still a really tough team to beat.
I realize health stuff is a concern with AD and you have to add Lively in there as well, but I'm not going to be gloom and doom about any hypothetical injuries that haven't happened yet.