Greg Monroe Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Bucks C
Less than a year after inking Greg Monroe to a max-level contract, the Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly considering moving on from the big man, only to decide to move forward with him on the roster.
Continue for updates.
Monroe Reportedly Won't Be on the Move
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, citing "two people with direct knowledge of the situation," reported Monroe won't be dealt before Thursday's trade deadline.
On Feb. 4, Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times reported that Bucks officials had told teams Monroe was available for the "right price."
Monroe Has Failed to Gel After Move to Bucks
Monroe, 25, is averaging 16.7 points and 9.7 rebounds through his first 52 appearances this season.
While those numbers bear a resemblance to those Monroe put up in Detroit, it's fair to say he's been an awkward fit since arriving. The ground-bound plodder is a nightmare in Jason Kidd's preferred defensive style, which features a ton of high traps, reminiscent of the Miami Heat's Big Three. Kidd has dialed back the aggressiveness in part to accommodate Monroe, but the results have not been promising.
"Learning how to win, it's hard as a professional. We're going through the growing pains," Kidd said, per 620WTMJ's Greg Matzek (via Jay Sorgi and Ashton Rotman of WTMJ.com). "We are frustrated and upset that we haven't won. We've had chances to win and have just come up short...the effort these guys give on a daily basis, win or lose, is at a very high level."
Monroe's struggles defensively play out in the numbers. Opposing players are shooting 3.3 percent better than their regular-season average when defended by Monroe, though that number takes a dive inside 10 feet. Monroe is actually a fine on-ball defender when he's able to set his feet.
It's also worth noting Monroe is far from the biggest problem in Milwaukee. While he's not a good defender, he's been a vital offensive piece.
These are things worth considering as the deadline approaches. Having jettisoned the likes of Jared Dudley and Zaza Pachulia to sign Monroe, the Bucks now have reportedly decided to continue with the experiment in the hopes it will work out.
Stats via NBA.com unless otherwise noted.
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