RealGM: Atlanta [possibly] interested in Greg Monroe [as FA in 2015]

[NBASupes]

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/235778/Greg-Monroes-Inevitable-Pistons-Future

 

 

For so long over the summer, Stan Van Gundy salivated over three promising talents in the Detroit Pistons’ frontcourt, so misfit together yet so individually gifted apart, and told executives and agents: Give me this chance to make them right, a season to prove I’ll execute and complement their offensive and defensive skills. Andre Drummond. Josh Smith. Greg Monroe. Just give me the opportunity of a year, and this Pistons' franchise will survive the consequences, Van Gundy felt.

 

All along, Monroe never wanted to return to the Pistons and summer sign-and-trade possibilities streamed into Detroit’s front office. Van Gundy is a top-tier head coach in the NBA, proud of his system and acumen to establish a franchise. As trading Monroe became the most inviting option, Van Gundy knew the stakes, knew Monroe was likely gone after one season under his qualifying offer deal anyway.

 

Several NBA teams had pitched sign-and-trades scenarios to the Pistons’ front office, but Van Gundy responded with a turn-off: The president and coach requested All-Star caliber players in return, league sources told RealGM. In one instance, two other franchises had agreed to a three-team deal that needed the Pistons’ acceptance, delivering Monroe a maximum-level contract. Opposing team executives involved pushed for it. Only, Detroit rejected.

 

Monroe is an All-Star talent, but his trade merit across the NBA didn’t justify that value last summer. Simply, Van Gundy’s response showed he wanted these three big men again, wanted to successfully coach Drummond, Smith and Monroe and prove he could bring out production that has clearly proved imbalanced.

 

When the one-year qualifier was signed, Van Gundy understood Monroe would almost assuredly walk in 2015 free agency, and nothing has changed.

 

“There were a few teams that were serious, but that’s in the past now,” Monroe told RealGM. “The Pistons were very much within their rights to do what they did. It’s a business, so they chose to do what was best for them. Stan’s been great and his NBA track record is proven. He’s had a lot of success in this league.

 

“For me, I think there’ll be more freedom this time around.”

 

Over a dozen teams should have the necessary cap space to attract Monroe. The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks are two prospective suitors for the 6-foot-11 center, with the Knicks’ possibility to move onto Monroe should Marc Gasol re-sign with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Hawks already placing an interest in the offseason. Despite speculation in top markets of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, neither were an interested party when Monroe sought offer sheets, sources said. For now, Monroe and these Pistons have staggered to a 3-16 record and everyone is responsible.

 

To say Monroe has checked out on the locker room may be too harsh, but no one in his position is as fully engaged to a team, a program, as someone who sought and received a long-term contract. For Monroe, this is about being a professional, a steady producer, surviving the year healthy, and likely move on.

 

Across the roster, Josh Smith continues to compete, to try to buy into Van Gundy’s coaching, Drummond has taken a step back in offensive stats despite a four percent increase in usage and everywhere has been a fluctuating struggle. This team is better than needing a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night to record four victories through 1½ months of the season.

 

When asked about reasons to pinpoint one crumbling season after another, about why this compiled roster and coaching staff has already fallen out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, Monroe looked up to the ceiling and returned centered, shook his head and had nothing.

 

“I mean, I don’t know,” he said. “I mean … it’s just … it’s … I don’t have any answers.”

 

Monroe has tried to avoid discussion of his free agency status, sidestepping questions, and he’ll remain a pro under Van Gundy. Still, Monroe has been part of this team problem -- far under .500 and a scattered group. The Pistons haven’t won 30 or more games since Monroe’s rookie season in 2011.

 

“Losing wears on you, yeah, and nobody likes to lose,” Monroe told RealGM. “If you ask anyone around here if losing wears on them, they would say yes. And if you’re losing a lot and it doesn’t have a pull on you, you’re not playing the game right.”

 

The game of free agency is off Monroe’s mind publicly, and everyone around the Pistons and Monroe understood over the summer that this was inevitably inching toward a final run in the partnership. After Detroit deposed of two head coaches, Van Gundy so believed he would be the one for Monroe, Drummond and Smith, the man to coax a playoff contender out of ball dominant post-up players and a slashing wing.

 

Fine, Monroe might walk but we’d rather roll this dice and lose him for nothing than take inconsequential parts in a sign-and-trade, the Pistons’ front office believed. No trade will come on Monroe -- not with his veto power to maintain Bird Rights -- and he didn’t sign a one-year deal to delay his re-signing in Detroit. He’ll be highly valued on the available market. One more complete year together for Greg Monroe and the Pistons, moving in the direction of another lost season and an inevitable end.

Edited December 10, 2014 by Dolfan23
Included full article and highlighted Atlanta part and corrected the title

[ATLHawks3]

Are they credible?

[benhillboy]

Not thrilled, hope it's false or doesnt happen.

[Admin]

I fixed the title of the thread to accurately reflect the speculation. It's as a FA in 2015, not via trade now. 

[IheartVolt]

Please no. Monroe is playing like ass in Detroit

[Admin]

I have no interest based on what he's going to cost on his next contract. He's non-existent on defense and not good enough on offense to justify a big contract, but he's going to get one because young talented bigs don't become FAs all that often.

[JETSET]

The line right before the line Supes decided to highlight is quite important.

 

Over a dozen teams should have the necessary cap space to attract Monroe

 

It seems obvious to me that this is just pure speculation on their part.  Maybe we end up actually having interest in Monroe, but this writer doesn't have a clue one way or the other right now.

Edited December 10, 2014 by JETSET

[NBASupes]

Monroe is very good talent and could be a legit All Star level player but fit is everything for him. I would love him with Horf in Atlanta.

[Admin]

The line right before the line Supes decided to highlight is quite important.

 

Over a dozen teams should have the necessary cap space to attract Monroe

 

It seems obvious to me that this is just pure speculation on their part.  Maybe we end up actually having interest in Monroe, but this writer doesn't have a clue one way or the other right now.

 

I am the one that highlighted the Atlanta parts. That's why I also updated the topic title to match the writers speculation.

[Admin]

Monroe is very good talent and could be a legit All Star level player but fit is everything for him. I would love him with Horf in Atlanta.

 

He can't shoot from outside of 5' and he's a horrid defender. In fact I would argue that rookie Monroe is as good or better than the Monroe who hasn't progressed and may have actually regressed since his rookie year.

 

From 3-10' he's a career 36% shooter, 32% this year and 20% this year from 10-16'. That's just unbelievably bad in this era of stretch bigs. He would have to sit in the paint and clog it up so that Teague and Schröder would suffer for it.

[NBASupes]

He can't shoot from outside of 5' and he's a horrid defender. In fact I would argue that rookie Monroe is as good or better than the Monroe who hasn't progressed and may have actually regressed since his rookie year.

 

From 3-10' he's a career 36% shooter, 32% this year and 20% this year from 10-16'. That's just unbelievably bad in this era of stretch bigs. He would have to sit in the paint and clog it up so that Teague and Schröder would suffer for it.

It kinda hard to to truly evaluated him on stats in Detroit due to total lack of spacing and just bad chemistry. We all know he lacks range outside of the paint. We all know he isn't a great finisher due to his lack of explosiveness. Don't underrate his defense on real centers, his BBIQ and his movement on offense. All plays a role into his value. He is a 18-10 center who can defend centers, score in the paint and pass and move at an extremely high rate. He is my #1 target and yes, I would easily pay max for him. I know that makes you mad because while I agree Sap is better right now, I wouldn't pay Sap more than 12 mil a year with the new upcoming cap and I like Sap. Just don't see that type of value. No one really does but someone will overpay. 

[JETSET]

I may, may be interested in Monroe if he is like a 6th man.  I'm definitely not interested in us dumping Horford or Millsap and replacing them with Monroe.  That will knock us back a few steps if you ask me.

[JETSET]

It kinda hard to to truly evaluated him on stats in Detroit due to total lack of spacing and just bad chemistry. We all know he lacks range outside of the paint. We all know he isn't a great finisher due to his lack of explosiveness. Don't underrate his defense on real centers, his BBIQ and his movement on offense. All plays a role into his value. He is a 18-10 center who can defend centers, score in the paint and pass and move at an extremely high rate. He is my #1 target and yes, I would easily pay max for him. I know that makes you mad because while I agree Sap is better right now, I wouldn't pay Sap more than 12 mil a year with the new upcoming cap and I like Sap. Just don't see that type of value. No one really does but someone will overpay. 

Pay max for Monroe but won't give Sap 12.5? 

 

Yikes

Edited December 10, 2014 by JETSET

[IheartVolt]

It kinda hard to to truly evaluated him on stats in Detroit due to total lack of spacing and just bad chemistry. We all know he lacks range outside of the paint. We all know he isn't a great finisher due to his lack of explosiveness. Don't underrate his defense on real centers, his BBIQ and his movement on offense. All plays a role into his value. He is a 18-10 center who can defend centers, score in the paint and pass and move at an extremely high rate. He is my #1 target and yes, I would easily pay max for him. I know that makes you mad because while I agree Sap is better right now, I wouldn't pay Sap more than 12 mil a year with the new upcoming cap and I like Sap. Just don't see that type of value. No one really does but someone will overpay.

First Al and now Monroe you would max out? What other average player are you gonna want to max out next? Smh

[NBASupes]

Pay max for Monroe but won't give Sap 12.5? 

 

Yikes

Yes, two different positions. Monroe can play center, is 25, 18/10, can defend centers, can score in the paint and is an great passer and movement big. He would be my ideal center if Marc Gasol isn't available for our personnel. You had teams willing to pay him the max last year as well. 

 

Sap is an undersized PF but he's an all around baller who can score from all angles and he's a steals menace. I respect all of those who want to resign Sap but once you get to 11-12 mil, that's getting too much especially when Horf and Sap ain't a great fit. 

 

Me and Dolf are going to disagree simply because he likes Sap more than Horf. That's why we disagree. He doesn't mind a Sap overpay as long as it comes with a Horf trade. 

[NBASupes]

First Al and now Monroe you would max out? What other average player are you gonna want to max out next? Smh

Teams will offer the max for Horford. Not unhealthy Al but last year before injury Al was a top 12-15 NBA player. That's a max player. Monroe is a very talented center. That's why he will get the max. Al is far from average. Quit the disrespect. That's like me saying Sap is below average and Jeff is Brevin Knight. 

Edited December 10, 2014 by nbasupes40retired

[IheartVolt]

Teams will offer the max for Horford. Not unhealthy Al but last year before injury Al was a top 12-15 NBA player. That's a max player. Monroe is a very talented center. That's why he will get the max. Al is far from average. Quit the disrespect. That's like me saying Sap is below average and Jeff is Brevin Knight.

Last years Al is not a max player. You would send a team into cap hell as Gm lol.

If a team offers Al the max , they can have him as far as I am concerned. And I like Al

Edited December 10, 2014 by IheartFerry

[NBASupes]

Last years Al is not a max player. You would send a team into cap hell as Gm lol.

Yes he is. He wasn't an elite player but he was a max player. Very good two way PF who can play and defend multiple positions, score with elite efficiency and shoot at an extremely clip. Bosh got a max deal. Why wouldn't we give Al one if that's what he wanted. 

[Guest]

You get a max and you get a max...everybody gets a max, wth.

[NBASupes]

You get a max and you get a max...everybody gets a max, wth.

Al Horford is capable of being a top 10-15 player. That is easily worth the max. Monroe is a very talented center who is 25 yo. When hasn't that got a lot of money in the open market?