Adam Najem is more of a Sacha or Grella role. Attacking midfielder.
Trading the HGP rights to Bryan Gallego, who was a highly touted defender, that was poorly used by Portland, caused guys like Metzger, Allen and oddly enough Adam Najem -- among others to pull away from Red Bull Academy so they don't get a HGP tag.
If Ali tries this, it is an absolute idiot move for the long term, IMO. Especially a season after some uncertainty after the Thorsheim, Thomsen, Corboz drama.
Adam came back to Red Bull (partly because overseas trials failed, partly cause his brother returned, and partly from the team mending fences with him). If the team mended fences just to get something for him rather than let him be a top 5 pick in the MLS Draft, there will be a trickle down effect to other academy players.
This would be worse than last seasons HGP issue with the trio mentioned above, worse than Hot/Kassel, and worse than Gallego.
Additionally, Najem has the tools and ability to make a major impact in MLS in a few years.
Why is it drama? Some academy players are just not good enough for MLS. Gallego got a shot with Portland, and tried to come back here. I assume Corboz/Thorsheim/Thomsen got a fair shot last year. (It was pretty clear, for example, that Thomsen was up against Bilyeu, and Bilyeu beat him out. Why should Thomsen get an advantage? Just because he is an academy player?) None of them signed with a MLS team afterwards. Kassel/Hot were handled poorly, but the first one couldn't hack it with a bad Worms team, and the second signed in what, German 5th division?
Some players are just not good enough. Plenty of academy "studs" get cut throughout the league. At least RBNY is giving them a chance now.