Greg Monroe might have already signed a qualifying offer with the Detroit Pistons, but it won't be surprising to see the Los Angeles Lakers making a hard run on the crafty big man either via trade or in free-agency summer of 2015.
Monroe, who signed a one-year, qualifying offer worth $5.5 million for next season, could hit the free-agency market again next summer but as an unrestricted free-agent. According to sources, the former Georgetown standout desires to play elsewhere with basketball operations chief and head coach Stan Van Gundy isn't interested in giving him a max deal.
"Monroe has wanted out of Detroit, where he was drafted in 2010, and he'll get his wish next summer. Pistons president and coach Stan Van Gundy had been unwilling to pay Monroe as one of the NBA's top forwards, and several attempts at sign-and-trade scenarios - including lengthy discussions with Portland, sources said - proved fruitless," according to Yahoo Sports NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski.
Averaging 13.9 and 9.0 rebounds per game in his first four seasons with the Pistons, the 24-year old Monroe is expected to draw more interest from multiple teams as early as February, when incoming free-agents are often traded.
Analysts believe the Blazers will likely revive their trade talk with the Pistons for Monroe before the trade deadline, while other teams like the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and the Lakers could also join the fray.
While the Lakers are incapable of offering the Pistons a much more enticing package than other teams, Mitch Kupchack could offer a solid package for Monroe by sending Jordan Hill and a first-round pick (acquired from the Rockets) or probably Steve Nash's expiring contract.
If they can't find a deal for Monroe before the trade deadline, the Lakers can still make a hard push for the big man because of their financial flexibility next summer.
Of course, Monroe cannot be traded without his consent. Another skinny is the Pistons can still work things out with their big man and lock him long-term especially if they can become a playoff contender next season. However, CBS Sports writer James Herbert believed the only way for the Pistons to retain Monroe is to dispose Josh Smith.
"He can't be traded without his consent, and if Van Gundy wants to have a chance of retaining him, he'll likely have to find a new home for forward Josh Smith," Herbert stated.
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