Sources: Pistons Asking For First-Round Pick In Exchange For Greg Monroe
Even though Greg Monroe signed his $5.5 million qualifying offer with the Detroit Pistons this past summer, effectively making him eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, sticking it out in Detroit for the remainder of the season is still up in the air.
As part of Monroe’s deal he would be allowed to veto any trade that the Pistons propose before the February trade deadline, but as reported from Sean Deveney from Sporting News, that’s unlikely to happen in any scenario:
“Everyone knows he wants out of there,” the source told SN. “There is almost nothing he would shoot down.”
Now the Pistons face the prospect of trying to deal Monroe on a short-term basis. Detroit has included a first-round pick as the cost of trading for Monroe, but given his status as an unrestricted free agent, that could prove to be too high a price. No one wants to give up a draft pick for a player who could be signed in free agency this summer.
Of teams with multiple picks in the upcoming draft, Boston and Phoenix are potential destinations for Monroe. The Suns could be loaded with picks, but that depends on how things go for the Timberwolves and Lakers, who owe the Suns picks that could wind up being protected. Even still, Phoenix is said to be in the market for a big man who can defend—not a strong suit for Monroe.
The Celtics could, eventually, have interest in Monroe, but as the team sorts out the roster and determines the future of point guard Rajon Rondo, there’s no pressing need for a trade.
New Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy stuck to his guns and went into the season with the much maligned Josh Smith-Greg Monroe-Andre Drummond core still on his roster. There were some trade talks involving Josh Smith, but Van Gundy made a point to keep both Smith and Monroe intentionally. Now in their 5-19 start to the season, Monroe specifically might carry some value in a potential trade, but as Deveney noted, teams are more likely to wait to try and sign him in free agency.
For Monroe, Phoenix or Boston both seem like more lucrative situations than his current one. Phoenix’s desire for a defensive big man is valid but it’s also just about having a big man to utilize. Right now the Suns’s system is completely guard-oriented with no post or even high-post options to speak of. Greg Monroe can change that for them.
Monroe’s skill set could be a valued asset in a number of different settings, and he might soon have that chance to prove it if a team is willing to part ways with a draft pick.
