NBA Trade Rumors: Detroit Pistons say Greg Monroe won’t be traded to Washington Wizards

Jan 17, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (10) is defended by Utah Jazz small forward Jeremy Evans (40) in the first half at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Utah won 110-89. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (10) is defended by Utah Jazz small forward Jeremy Evans (40) in the first half at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Utah won 110-89. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (10) is defended by Utah Jazz small forward Jeremy Evans (40) in the first half at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Utah won 110-89. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe (10) is defended by Utah Jazz small forward Jeremy Evans (40) in the first half at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Utah won 110-89. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Wizards are tired of being a bad team, which means they’re finally motivated to go out and make some moves to ensure the franchise has a future. This started with giving John Wall a max extension, it continued with talks of extending both Marcin Gortat and eventually Bradley Beal and it also means that Washington is involved with trade talks over Greg Monroe.

It’s not a secret that the Wizards covet the Pistons big man, but the question has always been would Detroit be down for a trade? So far it seems that the answer is a hard ‘no’, as Steve Kyler noted in a chat session at Basketball Insiders that the Wizards are being aggressively rejected by the Pistons.

"I know Washington is interested in Greg… however I have been told aggressively that Detroit is not open to it. So short answer is no. Does that change at the trade deadline? Maybe."

This could indeed change at the deadline, as the Pistons may need to unload someone to try and get their train back on the tracks. If a trade happens though, Josh Smith is the most likely guy to be traded, and if Washington wants Monroe they may have to give up more than they’re comfortable with.