If the Lakers miss the playoffs that almost certainly means that either the Clippers or the Kings make it. If the Clippers end up in the lottery they keep their 1st rounder and would likely use it as part of a trade offer for AD. The Kings 1st rounder will likely be part of Boston's offer to New Orleans for AD. If the Lakers miss the playoffs and end up with a better draft pick than either the Clippers or Celtics have to offer, that increases the chances that New Orleans gets over their bitterness and takes the Lakers package.

I'm playing the long game on "Laker hating" here -let the get rolled in the 1st round by the Warriors, but keep AD out of LA.