Just about two years ago, Greg Monroe was touted as one of the top free agents in the summer of 2015. He elected to sign with the young, upstart Milwaukee Bucks despite interest from the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. It was viewed by some as a change in NBA free agency when it comes to big names going to big market teams. A top free agent picked a small market team. But it wasn’t because of recent deep playoff runs like with the San Antonio Spurs or a solidified star on the roster. He saw the plan and wanted to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks future filled with potential stars.
Two years later and Monroe was the Bucks best bench option as a formidable interior scoring sixth man. Early in his stint with the Bucks, his fit with the team seemed odd but Jason Kidd made an interesting move before the 2016-17 campaign. He moved Greg Monroe to the bench.
Monroe spent last season in a full-time bench role for the first time in his career and played pretty well. He averaged 11.7 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field playing 22 minutes per game across 81 games.
With a decision to hit the free agent market looming, it was really unclear to predict what Monroe’s value would be in the open market. He most likely wouldn’t find a better deal than his reported $17.88 million contract for next season. Staying in Milwaukee, a team with an increasingly bright future centered on new star Giannis Antetokounmpo, was a no-brainer.
Following comes from Shams Charania of the Vertical.
Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe plans to opt-in on his 2017-18 deal for $17.88 million, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2017
