NBA Trade Rumors: Phoenix Suns will try to trade Greg Monroe before entertaining a buyout
The Phoenix Suns traded Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday morning, but they don’t appear to be done shuffling with their roster.
After acquiring Greg Monroe, a first-round pick and a couple second-round picks in exchange for Bledsoe, it appears that the Suns will try to flip Monroe. The 27-year-old forward is on the final year of a three-year contract that he signed in 2015.
Phoenix believes there’s a trade market for Monroe, and they hope to exploit it before even thinking about potentially buying out the big man.
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"[via ESPN]The Phoenix Suns prefer to explore the trade market on the expiring contract of Greg Monroe before proceeding on contract-buyout talks, league sources told ESPN.The Suns acquired the veteran big man as part of a trade package for guard Eric Bledsoe with the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday and decidedly value Monroe’s $17.8 million contract as a trade asset on the market."
Monroe clearly doesn’t fit into what Phoenix wants to do on the court, or in their long-term plans. The Suns want to play a fast-paced up and down game, and Monroe doesn’t exactly fit into that schematically.
On the other hand, Monroe would also like to join a contender in order to potentially raise his stock before hitting the open market again.
Monroe is averaging a career-low seven points and five rebounds this season. However, the Georgetown product averaged double-digit scoring and close to eight rebounds per game in his previous six – his rookie season being the lone exception.
There’s no question that Monroe has talent; that’s never been questioned. Although, it’s difficult for a big with his game to be a difference maker in today’s game. The new era of big men are defending on the perimeter and hitting 3’s.
Food for thought: Greg Monroe has never attempted a 3-point shot in his NBA career. Zero. Zip. In the NBA’s changing game, that’s almost unheard of. Heck, even Hassan Whiteside has somewhat added a 3-point shot to his game.
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This is the problem that faces Greg Monroe and any team out there that is interested in making a move for the big man. With that said, expect there to be a market for Monroe. He’s probably better than most first bigs off any bench – assuming he remains in that role – and could help a team with his low-post scoring prowess.