The difference is where he's getting his points. He's down in the paint more often with Lebron out, With Lebron he's standing around the three point line. We know Lebron hates playing with post players as it can clog the lane when he wants to drive. When Lebron comes back I'd like to see more AD in the paint with more Lebron cutting or just staying outside to hit threes if teams double AD. He shoots the three good enough that'll allow him to still get his numbers without exerting as much effort.
You are right about him in the paint, but not for the reasons you suspect.
2019-20 - He shot 48% of his FG in the paint
2020-21 - He shot 39% of his FG in the paint
2021-22 - He shot 53% of his FG in the paint
This year - 67 % of his shots are in the paint. (68% of his shots are in the paint
WITH Lebron vs 64% of his shots without Lebron)
In previous years he played the bulk of his minutes with Lebron at the 4. He always started next to centers who clogged up the lane. McGee/Howard/Gasol/Drummond/Deandre/Howard again. At the 5 he has much more room to operate in the paint.
He is however, shooting just under 60% on the season without Lebron vs only 53% with him. That could be in part due to the weaker schedule they have played recently. We will see how things go when Lebron makes his return Friday.