NBA trade rumors: 5 trade destinations for Greg Monroe
By John Buhler
The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly put center Greg Monroe on the trading block after only one season with the team. Here are five landing spots for Monroe.
The 2015-16 Milwaukee Bucks were easily one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this past season. The Bucks shocked many in 2014-15 with their outstanding defensive prowess under new head coach Jason Kidd, finishing fourth in defensive efficiency. However for many reasons, Milwaukee struggled mightily to end up with the No. 10 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Blame went all around in the organization, from Kidd opting to have hip surgery mid-season to point guard Michael Carter-Williams’ inability to hold his own at the point to frankly being a young team that lacked discipline. One player seemed to get more criticism than others in 2015 free agent acquisition center Greg Monroe.
Monroe left the Bucks’ Central Division rival in the Detroit Pistons to sign with Milwaukee on a multi-year deal. Spacing was a massive issue (literally) in the Bucks’ front court, as Milwaukee failed to reach the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
According to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops and the Associated Press, the “Bucks are shopping Monroe hard” as he’s due to make “$17.1 million next season and has a $17.8 million player option for 2017-18.”
Given that the Bucks eventually have to pay 2013 first round pick Giannis Antetokounmpo out the wazoo to keep the Greek Freak in Wisconsin, it makes sense for the Bucks to at least see what the team can get in return for Monroe. Here are five teams that make sense for the Bucks to trade Monroe to this offseason.
Next: 5. Miami Heat.