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NBA: 7 players with the most to lose in 2014-15

By Bryce Olin

Mar 21, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter of a game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter of a game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

This offseason, Monroe became the best player in NBA history to sign a qualifying offer in restricted free agency, which means he’s headed back to the Detroit Pistons for this season before becoming an unrestricted free agency.

It’s unfortunate it’s come to this for Monroe because he’s actually a pretty good player who has been stuck in terrible situations his whole career. For Monroe, taking the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer from the Pistons isn’t a terrible risk because he’s never had any injury problems and has only missed three games in his four seasons in the league. Some might say Monroe’s due for an injury, but Monroe betting on himself is much less risky than, say, Eric Bledsoe.

Season G MP FG FGA FG% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2010-11 80 27.8 3.8 6.9 .551 7.5 1.3 1.2 0.6 9.4
2011-12 66 31.5 6.2 11.8 .521 9.7 2.3 1.3 0.7 15.4
2012-13 81 33.2 6.3 13.1 .486 9.6 3.5 1.3 0.7 16.0
2013-14 82 32.8 6.1 12.4 .497 9.3 2.1 1.1 0.6 15.2
Career 309 31.3 5.6 11.0 .508 9.0 2.3 1.2 0.6 14.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/22/2014.

After the season, Monroe enters a free agent market that’s loaded with bigs, and Monroe, in particular, doesn’t move the radar for a franchise looking to make a big move. Is he a good player? Absolutely. Could he contribute for a contender? No question. But, does the addition of Monroe make a team a title contender? No, no, and more no.

I can’t think of any fringe contender that becomes a contender with the addition of Monroe.

Although already a contender, Oklahoma City would be the most intriguing spot for Monroe. They need a low-post scorer, but they’d likely want Monroe to take a pay cut for the “opportunity” to play with Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka. OKC is not going to pay top price for Monroe.

Monroe is a good player with the potential to be even better in the right system, but his signing doesn’t move the needle, as Colin Cowherd would say. Players that don’t move the needle don’t usually get paid in the NBA. Monroe is going to need a killer performance this season to get paid in free agency.

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