I disagree. It's not as bad as taking a Junior, but it still shows future recruits that you are willing to pull the rug out from under them in any year.
I see your point in general to a certain degree, but also think that uncertainty for recruits because of increased activity across the nation in the portal is a new reality, ever since the waiting period was removed.
In this specific hypothetical case there are three players who are most affected by a potential one year C addition. One is Amari, who certainly has disappointed thus far and has not in any way earned entitlement minutes IMO due to a sense of loyalty to current players.
The others are Ice and Jana. Their minutes in their first year would be reduced, from we have to throw them out there ready or not, to earning rotation minutes and growing into a regular backup role. Their remaining three years are unaffected and one of those is the likely starter the year after, and both likely are major contributors the rest of their career.
When you try to upgrade a more experienced player, say Amari I think the rug being pulled out from underneath is a more valid criticism, if that player has performed well, which in this case I don't think she has. But even with very talented newcomers I think having a proven talented option at their position for their first season is more prudent than insulting.
I am probably much higher on Ice and Jana than people think I am because of my preference for at least looking for a great C in the portal. Next year's team on a scale of 1-10 might get grades of 10 at 4 positions with the 5 the only question. I think Ice and Jana might be 9's or 10''s by the end of their careers here. The first year with no experience, facing a much higher level of competition, and one of them coming off surgery, maybe a 7, perhaps an 8, still very good.
Maybe Ayanna is a good reference point here. She will probably be much better in the future, but wouldn't an experienced proven big backup behind Dorka and Aaliyah have helped a great deal this year? Ayanna can probably still achieve a significant role, but this year was rushing her somewhat.
Anyway I do have confidence in the newcomers, but think not having an experienced proven player returning for the 5 is not ideal risk management for a team that can be a 10 at the other four positions. I also think it is probably a longshot, mostly because there may not be any top level true centers in the portal, but if one does emerge, I think we have a good chance to land that player because for them it could be a perfect one year fit.