re: AD out?

This is the way it'll be from here on out. AD must've given the team a heads up, as evident by the additions of Lovett & Thomas, so at least he let Kirby and the staff know and still played throughout the playoffs, unlike Gilbert.

But no one complains when we gain players, so the portal giveth and the portal taketh away

Again, this is the new norm now. Take it for what you will. If anyone in this era stays 3-4 years then that's worth DGD status alone, lol.