The New Orleans Pelicans have contacted The Detroit Pistons about restricted free agent to be Greg Monroe. Newly hired Head Coach and Team President Stan Van Gundy said, a Drummond and Monroe pairing intrigued him, but this is the season of smoke screens and trade rumors. Since entering the league in 2010 Monroe has been one of the few successful pieces The Pistons have drafted. Monroe’s situation is complicated since he is a restricted free agent, and he may get a big contract offer. Stan Van Gundy also talked about the situation:
“I value Greg Monroe highly, yes, I do want him here,” Van Gundy said. “But, when you’re dealing with free agents, even restricted free agents, the situation gets more complicated.”
The Pistons can match any offer on Monroe, but Van Gundy may feel Monroe either doesn’t fit into his system or due to salary reasons a trade could happen. Monroe would be a nice piece to play next to Anthony Davis, and would be placed into The Pelicans starting lineup. I don’t think it’s the greatest fit for Monroe,but The Pistons front court situation is far worse for him due to having Josh Smith and Andre Drummond who are all post players. If Van Gundy goes to his Miami and Orlando days Monroe may be the odd man out so he can properly space the floor in his system.
New Orleans has the contracts to trade with Detroit, but the problem is does Van Gundy value any of them? Tyreke Evan’s overpriced contracts or Eric Gordon’s? They also have two players that haven’t lived up to their potential in Al-Farouq Aminu or Austin Rivers? Either way you package those players it’s not necessarily a deal that’ll make you jump for joy, but one guy Van Gundy may like is Ryan Anderson. A sharpshooting Power Forward that fits the Stan Van Gundy mold, but it’ll take a little more then that to get Monroe from them I’d assume.
