This offseason the Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe was a restricted free agent and was clashing with the Pistons management about his contract. Monroe is currently gambling on himself. He accepted a qualifying offer from the Pistons, meaning he will play one year under contract in Detroit and then hit the free agent market as an unrestricted free agent.
So I ask, “Greg, next year why not make the move to the Phoenix Suns?”
Recently (it was about time) the NBA has entered into the realm of positionless basketball. The black top pickup style of basketball has influenced the NBA more than a lot of people think.
Basketball being played outside on the concrete or asphalt black top, nobody cares about the positions that the five players that they run with play. The only aspect that anyone cares about is, if you can play. Teams get assembled because their skill and not how their players measure.
The Phoenix Suns were one of the trend setters (along with the Miami Heat) that helped bring positionless basketball to the forefront of the NBA world.
If Greg Monroe joins the Suns next year it will be one of the greatest testaments to the coaching ability of head coach Jeff Hornacek. Coach Hornacek will have to make a way for Monroe to play effectively and still have cohesion within the Suns lineups.
Last season the gamble that Hornacek made was when he started two point guards, Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic. His decision was fruitful because it worked splendidly in a stacked Western Conference.
Next year if the Suns were to get Monroe, they would have a great big man who can score and pass. Being paired along with Miles Plumlee, the tandem would create one of the better front courts in the Western Conference.
Plumlee and Monroe are complete opposites and that works in the favor of not only the Suns, but Monroe himself.
On offense, Monroe has the comfort to play from the free throw line. Because of his ability to stretch the floor, opponents will have to guard him honestly because shooting from the mid-range is one of his favorite shots to take.
When opponents make the decision to guard Monroe on the perimeter, it opens up only three-point shots for Gerald Green. It also allows the Suns guards to cut to the rim and it gives breathing room for Miles Plumlee to get easy attempts at the rim.
Defensively is where the biggest concern lies for Monroe.
He has never averaged more than one block in a season. Because of his lack of athleticism, he uses his intelligence to make up for it. Monore is great at staying in front of defenders and not getting blown by.
But defense is where Miles Plumee thrives. Last season Plumlee averaged 8.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. These numbers came from a starter who only played around 25 minutes a game.
Though Monroe is experiencing help in the frontcourt with the development of Andre Drummond, the Suns offer him something that was never offered in Detroit — a good team.
Depending on how coach Hornacek is feeling, a starting lineup could consist of Bledsoe, Dragic, Tucker/Green, Plumlee and Monroe.
The Suns would have a frontcourt to match-up with the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Suns will also have guards that are extremely difficult to guard. Also, they have a coach who has a superior basketball mind.
Off of the bench, Phoenix would have the Morris Twins, and the super scorer T.J. Warren. The Suns are no stranger to playing a lot of guys either.
Last year, Hornacek had nine players that averaged over 15 minutes a game. Their young talent would all be developed for difficult situations in the future.
Adding in Monroe to the fold will work.
There are a bunch of young players that this team has, and gaining Monroe is one of the missing pieces from taking the next step in the Western Conference.
Since Monroe played for the Pistons, he has never finished above fourth in his division and has never made the playoffs. The Pistons franchise is going nowhere fast. Monroe has the opportunity next season to not only move to a place where he would fit in, but he would have a chance to make a deep playoff run.
The proud Suns franchise has had great players shine for their organization over the last 20 years, including Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion.
They’ve had chances to go to the NBA Finals a few times this decade but have always been cursed at the wrong times.
Adding Monroe would help to reverse the misfortunes of their past. Monroe wants to win, get paid and have an impact on the game. Unless the Suns and Pistons work out a midseason trade, next offseason could be the introduction between the two.
Greg Monroe, meet the Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix Suns, meet Greg Monroe.
Get this done.