Fansided

NBA Rumors: Greg Monroe agrees to three-year, $50 million deal with Bucks

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 22, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe has reportedly agreed to terms with the Milwaukee Bucks on a hefty three-year contract.

Just two days into NBA free agency, former Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe decided to finish listening to offers and sign a three-year, $50 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Next: 20 Richest NBA Players of All-Time

This comes as a bit of surprise as the Knicks and Lakers both seemed to be interested in the power forward’s services, but he decided to stay in the Great Lakes region, picking Milwaukee, of all places.

Playing his first five seasons as a Piston, Monroe was used in the offense to complement Andre Drummond when he was drafted three years ago. However, the team couldn’t afford to pay up to bring him back for a sixth season and Stan Van Gundy and Co. decided to let free agency take him.

Monroe was a solid player at the power forward position for Detroit, averaging 14.3 points and 9.2 rebounds over his career with the organization with a career-high in rebounds during the 2014-15 campaign with 10.2 per contest.

The writing was on the wall after Van Gundy claimed that the team wasn’t very optimistic that they would be bringing him back and the Pistons even acquired power forward Ersan Ilyasova to ease the pain of Monroe’s possible loss.

Milwaukee is getting a quality big man in Monroe and he will be added to an already-solid and youthful lineup that includes guys like point guard Michael Carter-Williams, shooting guard Khris Middleton, forward Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

For a team that made the playoffs as an underdog last year, the Bucks will be much improved with the substitution of Ilyasova for the talented Greg Monroe. He adds size, adequate rebounding and probably the most experience in the starting lineup once the regular season starts.

Unless Zaza Pachulia remains in the starting lineup, which he very well could and Jabari Parker could move to the bench coming off injury, Monroe would be the most veteran guy in the lineup.

Watch out for the Milwaukee Bucks in the years to come as they are young and hungry with a youthful coach as well. This is a team on the rise and it won’t be taken lightly during the 2015-16 campaign.

More from Milwaukee Bucks

Home/Milwaukee Bucks