NBA Free Agency: Greg Monroe, 5 best second-tier free agents

RFA- Greg Monroe, PF/C (15.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, .497 FT% in 2014 with DET)

Teams interested: Atlanta, Orlando, Portland, possibly Cleveland

If Monroe wasn’t a restricted free agent, he would probably see a lot more offers come his way. This means that if any team gives an offer to Monroe during free agency, the Pistons have the right to match it to keep him on their team. He may want to play somewhere else in 2014, however Detroit will have the final say when it comes to that. (Or, whichever team is willing to outbid Detroit for his services.)

He’s another hostage in the Miami Big 3 and Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, as he is also waiting for those four players to get signed so he can potentially sign somewhere else.

But whomever gets Monroe going forward is getting a solid player. He missed all of just three games during his four-year NBA career thus far (two in his 2010-11 rookie season and one in 2012-13)

Monroe’s 15.2 points per game average last season was just .8 short of his 16.0 career high average set in 2012-13, however he improved his shooting average to .497 last season (up from .486 the year before.)

However, while Monroe is solid offensively, his defense has been anything but solid. While he’s considered one of the better centers under the rim, his lack of mobility has held him back from him becoming a great defensive power-forward/center.

Despite his shortcomings, teams are still interested in him.

The Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks look like the most probable landing spots for Monroe, according to Matt Moore of CBSSports.com.

Monroe’s agent, David Falk, is seeking a max contract from the Pistons, while the Pistons are willing to deal Monroe elsewhere in a sign-and-trade if his cost becomes too pricey.