Sorry Kneepad , I got to disagree with you on this one
I am an advocate of trading for Akeem for a number of reasons.
Firstly , he is still a contributor . Just because his output is not what it was 5 years ago , I think that when you have been great and you do not produce at that same level - yet you can still play and are effective in a role , fans of the game don't forgive you for your declining output. The higher you've been , the further you have to fall in judgement. Last year , I saw maybe half a dozen Raps games and I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say that in my judgement , Hakeem was still a defensive presence . He didnt have the same zip on his low post moves where he always relied on the speed of his exquisite footwork , but the mechanics of his moves were still there. Similarly the zip in his rebounding capacity was not what it was 5 years ago but he relied more on smart positioning and "reading" position to still pull down around 7 - 8 boards a game in 25 something minutes he played for the Raps
Secondly , I think he could help Cartwright with Tyson's offensive post up game where Tyson seems to struggle with moves right now . Curry is an instinctive post player on offense and I think is more a natural than Tyson - but more than anything else he still needs to develop his left hand and confidence in going left off the right block . Too many times last season , Eddy fell into his comfort zone on the block going right and shooting right into the defender - consequently making him a little bit too easy to pick off. He got better as the season progressed. Whilst Eddy is a hell of an instinctive post up player , Tyson is one of the most exciting help defenders in the making running around - which he is , by virtue of his speed and athleticism . He seems to have a nose for the "read' of a play on the defensive end too . This anticipation combined with his speed and athleticism is what makes him an exciting defensive prospect. Both of them need work on their defensive footwork and the subtleties of playing man on man defense such as weight transference ( taking weight and releasing it to disrupt balance - timing etc ) I think they would learn a hell of a lot from Hakeem in scrimmages in this regard and being out on the floor with him in game type situations would onlu reinforce and accelerate the subtelties both need to learn in all aspects of their game. Who better to learn from than probably the most complete center that played the game during the late 80's and 90's. A championship center on the floor and in scrimmages that can directly instruct through physical example and a championship center on the sidelines that can instruct and motivate verbally.
Thirdly , Akeem takes the pressure of responsibility for Curry and Chandler off Cartwright directly that allows Cartwright to truly have a more holistic focus in what he is trying to achieve. Its a nice luxury to have with Akeem as this buffer zone
Fourthly, Akeem is in the books for 2 more years at a cost of around $5.5M a year . By big man standards , this is pretty reasonable when average big man money is around $4M to $5M. This is hardly an unreasonable cost for an experienced championship center that can assist in the development of two chmapionship centers that we aspire to develop for the purposes of spearheading our next championship push. If we can aim to back in the playoffs in 2 years in the final year of Akeem's contract , than such instruction and example in what it means being in the playoffs in terms of preparation and adjustments that need to be made to take it up a step , would ( IMO ) be invaluable .
At the very least even if you don't think Akeem would help he certaintly can't hurt . The reality is we need help at center/forward where a proven vet who can still contribute can come in and tighten the defense, score a bit , rebound .. whatever we need to adjust in what the game at that point dictates.
As to the issue of Akeem resigning , I would think that this would not even be an issue in 2 years anyway. We would probably have obtained what we need from him and he would doubtless be ready for retirement anyway.
However , having said all that , the Raps are not trading him - that's why they made Keon a full free agent. They have already made their choice and the decision Glen Grunwald has made appears more political rather than one based on pragmatism - in that they need a young F/C to develop beside AD more than what they need a vet F/C if they are both costing around the same type of money and there are luxury tax implications. Akeem has cred and currency . Diss Akeem and his agent in trading him after 12 months when he was a high profile feather in the cap signing , and GG runs the risk of being on the nose with other high profile free agent signings ( although I don't know why as they have no room for a long time to sign any significant difference maker free agents - they can't even hang on to their own )
It makes sense for them to deal Akeem but they won't
