The difference - to me - is this time the Lakers are offering value well above rental price.
They're doing that because
A) they learned their lesson
B) its Anthony Freakin Davis
The Lakers thought PG being a rental who wanted LA meant that could get away with bidding the same price as everyone else. This time, there's no one that will bid NEAR the level they are bidding unless they are fully confident that Davis will re-sign with them.
Yeah, if this makes it to the off-season (and it looks like it will), it will be interesting.
The Lakers current offer will almost certainly still be there in the summer.
If AD remains focused on going to the Lakers, it will likely drive down what the Pels can get.
Depending on how good a job Rich Paul can do in driving down what the Pels can get, they may end up wishing they had taken the Lakers current offer.