Best Potential Trade Scenarios, Packages and Landing Spots for Greg Monroe
Is Greg Monroe going to be the next marquee player to land in a new location?
The Detroit Pistons big man has found himself at the center of non-stop trade rumors for quite some time now, but he's still suiting up for the same team that drafted him out of Georgetown. None of the whispers have come to fruition thus far, though SportingNews.com's Sean Deveney reports that "he wants that [to be traded], badly."
It's worth noting that Monroe's agent, David Falk, denies all claims that his gossip-causing client wants to be dealt. Here's what Falk told USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt:
"He made a commitment to Stan (Van Gundy) when he took the qualifying offer that he would work as hard as he could and help the team as best that he could and he would keep his mind open and at the end of the season, he would evaluate all of his options. That was his plan in July, and that's his plan in December and that will probably be his plan in February and will be his plan when the season ends...
Greg is an intelligent man. I've represented him from day one. There are no other credible sources who would indicate if wants a trade. He does not want a trade. He wants to honor his commitment to Stan and give it the year and evaluate everything at the end of the season.
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Contradictory reports are quite common this time of year, but let's take sides and pretend Monroe definitely wants to be traded. Despite what his agent says, we're operating under the assumption that the Pistons basically have to move him.
Additionally, let's listen to Deveney's report that "teams seeking Monroe will need to cough up a first-round pick, and that's a sticking point."
With that in mind, and remember that Monroe basically has veto power because he'd be giving up Bird rights in a new location, what are the best realistic deals that Detroit can make in the coming weeks?
Off to the Desert
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Phoenix Suns Get: Caron Butler, Greg Monroe
Detroit Pistons Get: Shavlik Randolph, Isaiah Thomas, 2015 first-round pick
Greg Monroe remains less than ideal as the primary center for the Phoenix Suns. But right now, beggars can't be choosers.
Even though he's not a premier rim-protecting big man and plays more of a plodding style that would require Jeff Hornacek to slow things down, he's a significant upgrade over any incumbent center. The Suns are very much beggars in the 5 department right now, as the combination of Alex Len and Miles Plumlee has been a complete and utter disaster.
Monroe might not be an ideal fit in the desert, but at least he's a capable big body, one who can play some adequate defense and provide the Suns with a low-post threat in the half-court set. Even while clearly unhappy in Motor City and playing in a system that doesn't maximize his talents, he's still put together a solid season, averaging 14.5 points and 9.0 rebounds with a 17.6 player efficiency rating, via Basketball-Reference.com.
Caron Butler isn't just a throw-in either. The perimeter threat would be a solid option at small forward for Phoenix, even if he doesn't really move the needle at this stage of his career.
As for the Pistons, they'd get back a salary-cap inclusion (Shavlik Randolph), fill the need for a first-round pick since Phoenix has so many at its disposal and add the point guard of the future. Isaiah Thomas clearly needs to get out of his new home, as the three-PG system hasn't worked for the Suns, and he'd provide a nice spark for a struggling Detroit offense.
Plus, he comes with a highly affordable salary, which is a nice change of pace for the Pistons.
3-Team Deal Leads to South Beach
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Houston Rockets Get: Brandon Jennings, 2017 first-round pick (from Miami Heat)
Miami Heat Get: Greg Monroe
Detroit Pistons Get: Mario Chalmers, James Ennis, 2015 first-round pick (from New Orleans Pelicans via Houston Rockets)
This deal comes to us courtesy of Bleacher Report's Dan Favale, who wrote the following about this three-team swap:
"This is a straight up fire sale for the Pistons. Cleaning house may not have been the plan at first, but league executives have told Bleacher Report's Howard Beck they think Detroit is ready to talk shop.
Chalmers and Ennis are two cap-friendly floor-spacers who should elevate the Pistons' 32.6 percent clip from downtown (25th). The real asset here, though, is New Orleans Pelicans' pick.
It's only protected for selection Nos. 1-3 and 20-30. With the Oklahoma City Thunder surging and Anthony Davis keeping the Pelicans on the brink of playoff contention, New Orleans is slated to fall in the stipulated sweet spot. The Pistons are looking at a high lottery pick, barring something incredible on the Pelicans' end.
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Monroe is a great fit for the Miami Heat, pushing Chris Bosh (when he returns from injury) to his natural spot at the 4 and allowing him to take on less of a physical toll on a nightly basis. He, Bosh and Dwyane Wade can form a contending core throughout the foreseeable future, especially with Pat Riley putting the right pieces around them.
The Houston Rockets can't complain either. They're only giving up an extra lottery pick in this scenario and getting their hands on both an offensive threat at point guard and a future selection.
And the Pistons? Well, the motivation is obvious here. As Favale explained, they're taking on solid contracts who have shooting ability and getting a chance at a high-quality prospect in a stellar draft.
To the Thunder We Go
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Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Brandon Jennings, Greg Monroe
Detroit Pistons Get: Reggie Jackson, Kendrick Perkins, 2015 first-round pick
Worried about taking on Kendrick Perkins' salary? Don't be, because he's operating on an expiring deal and would just help the Pistons gain even more financial flexibility for next summer. That's the only reason he's included here, as the main haul centers around Reggie Jackson and that first-round pick in the upcoming 2015 NBA draft.
Jackson is an offensive upgrade at point guard for a team that's posted just a 100.3 offensive rating, a mark so bad that, according to Basketball-Reference.com, it beats only the laughable Philadelphia 76ers. The dynamic combo guard is quite adept at creating his own offense, and he'd be a far better fit in Detroit, where he can lead the point-scoring unit, than he currently is with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are back on the court and raring to lead OKC into the playoffs, Jackson is a luxury, not a necessity. His scoring is nice and useful, but it's still not ultimately vital.
Having a center who's ready to compete at a high level right now is much more beneficial.
Steven Adams may still be the big man of the future, but Monroe is much more ready to compete at this very moment. And it's not as though Adams would suddenly stop playing, as the three-man combination of Monroe, Adams and Serge Ibaka would become an interchangeable group, with the Congolese big man able to slide over to the 5 and Monroe able to spend some time at the 4. Plus, Jennings could fill the spot formerly occupied by Kevin Martin, as he's been quite good as a spot-up shooter this season.
Even if this is just a one-season rental for the Thunder (which it might not be if Monroe chooses to re-sign), this is worth doing. After all, they're ready to compete right now, and it's not as though Jackson was guaranteed to stick around past the end of the 2014-15 campaign anyway.
Monroe Joining the Super-Cavs
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Cleveland Cavaliers Get: Greg Monroe
Detroit Pistons Get: Joe Harris, Dion Waiters, 2015 first-round pick (from Memphis Grizzlies via Cleveland Cavaliers)
Sure, let's just make the Cleveland Cavaliers even more dangerous.
Monroe might not be a great rim-protecting center, but at least he's another big body capable of playing some adequate defense. Anderson Varejao has struggled immensely for the new-look Cavs, and it's time for an upgrade. After all, the floppy-haired big man has averaged just 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with a 17.0 PER, via Basketball-Reference.com, and Cleveland has been 5.4 points per 100 possessions worse when he's on the floor.
Much as is the case with the Suns, the Cavs don't present the truly ideal fit for Monroe. He's a solid choice there simply because there are no better options, allowing him a chance at plenty of playing time in his natural position, as well as a potential long-term home.
Meanwhile, the Pistons take Dion Waiters off Cleveland's hands, which I'm sure David Blatt and the rest of the coaching staff won't complain about too much. Talented as the 2-guard may be, he doesn't fit in the movement-heavy schemes that the Israeli coach runs, and he'd be a much stronger option in Detroit, as the team would actually rely on his impressive scoring ability.
But while Waiters going to Motor City is a positive for all involved, the first-round pick could potentially hold this deal back.
That selection from the Memphis Grizzlies is protected for both the top five picks and all non-lottery spots in 2015. With the Grizz rolling through the NBA right now, they're pretty much guaranteed to hold onto it this year. Next season, the same protection exists, and it's not until 2017 that it's only protected for just the top five slots.
Are the Pistons willing to wait until 2017 to get their hands on the first-round pick they covet?
More Moves for the Celtics
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Boston Celtics Get: Luigi Datome, Greg Monroe
Detroit Pistons Get: Jeff Green, 2015 first-round pick (from Los Angeles Clippers via Boston Celtics)
Now that the Boston Celtics have made it abundantly clear they're interested in rebuilding by trading Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, it's time for them to take the next step.
But first, let's read between the lines.
By dealing a point guard with an All-Star reputation for a package that centered around Brandan Wright and a first-round pick, the C's are making it clear they have more confidence in their ability to rebuild through the draft than their chances of signing marquee free agents. That's why they've been stockpiling picks, accepting that big-time free agents have generally spurned Boston in recent NBA history.
So, why not increase their chances at landing a big name like Monroe by acquiring him, showing him they're willing to turn over the reins and then extending him this offseason? Even a chance at executing that plan is likely better than anything they can get with the Los Angeles Clippers' first-round pick, one that probably won't fall until the very end of the first 30 selections. That's especially true when general manager Danny Ainge can also clear up cap space by getting rid of Jeff Green's contract.
For the rebuilding Celtics, that contract is not good. But for the talent-starved Pistons, it may be.
They haven't seemed as committed to rebuilding from scratch, likely because they already have a franchise centerpiece in Andre Drummond, and adding Green to the picture would make them much more competitive.
Doesn't a frontcourt comprised of Green, Josh Smith (at his natural position again) and Drummond sound like plenty of fun? The athleticism alone would overwhelm the opposition.
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