Not my own but it was put forward to me by someone I was talking to just before. New York have always been the team that have shown a bit of interest in Jerome James. Why not ship him to New York for Dikembe Mutombo. James' contract runs out after 04/05, Mutmbo has a team option after next season, and looks to be completely out of favour in New York, with Mohammed and Vin Baker. There is even talk of Mutombo being released, so it might be worthwhile trying to swing James to New York. The Knicks would have to throw in someline like Trybanski for it to work (who also expires after next season), but I think it would be worthwhile pursuing. Considering James is pretty much a non-factor, Mutombo playing 20 minutes a game in the middle would be something I'd be interested in. He's old and his knees are shot, but he still knows how to protect the basket and position himself for defensive rebounds, and would be a big help both in the locker room and to the development of Swift on the defensive end. Hell, he'd probably even be a help to Booth. Thoughts?
I think anyone would work better than James. Despite Dikembe's age, he is still a beast and a welcome addition to a Sonics lineup in need of size and defense. I don't see how this trade would help us in the long run, but like I said much better than James.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shard:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see how this trade would help us in the long run, but like I said much better than James.</div> Well with Mutombo having a team option after next season, you're basically just replacing James with Mutombo for one season, so either way you're stuck with one of them for a season. I just think Mutombo would be a great influence on Swift and Collison, particularly as a mentor. He is a quality human being who knows all the tricks to defensive play.
I think he'd end up being a very expensive benchwarmer Which I guess is what James is right now.. I'd be against it anyway.. Overpaid youth vs overpaid old shouldnt even be a question imo. The Sonics would be better off hiring a Patrick Ewing or someone similar to coach instead. Though it would be interesting to see how many fans still remember the Dikembe beatdown that the Nuggets did on the Sonics so-long-ago
I'd do it. Jerome just hasn't gotten anything done in Seattle. It would take a miracle for him to resurrect his career on this team. Mutumbo would at least bring a veteran presence.
