The Cavaliers should offer Tristan Thompson to the Suns for Greg Monroe, suggests Sam Amico of AmicoHoops. Amico reported last night that Cleveland is interested in Monroe, who was traded from Milwaukee to Phoenix this week and apparently has no long-term future with the Suns. The 27-year-old has averaged 14.0 points and 8.7 rebounds throughout his career, but fell out of the rotation in Milwaukee and has appeared in just five games this season.
Their salaries are similar, with Monroe making $17.8MM this year compared to Thompson’s $16.4MM, but Monroe has an expiring contract while Thompson is owed more than $36MM over the next two seasons. Acquiring Monroe would provide immediate help as Thompson is out for the next few weeks with a strained calf. Amico also notes that Thompson’s romantic involvement with actress Khloe Kardashian could bring an unwanted distraction to the Cavs’ locker room.
There’s more news out of Cleveland:
- Jae Crowder had a lot of adjustments to make during his first few weeks in Cleveland, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. One of the key pieces in the Kyrie Irving trade, Crowder has seen his role change several times in 13 games, starting at small forward and power forward and coming off the bench at both positions. Teammates have noticed how well Crowder has been able to handle all the different roles being thrown at him. “He’s such a huge X factor for us and can do so many things, it’s just tough because we’ve been asking him to play the 4, play the 3, guard the other team’s best player, score the basketball,” said Kevin Love. “He just has to find a way to go out there and play and compete because tonight that’s what he did and he was great for us.”
- J.R. Smith seems comfortable in the starting lineup again, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Smith started the season in a reserve role after the signing of Dwyane Wade, but was reinserted as a starter after Wade asked to come off the bench. Smith struggled with his shot throughout October, but has strung together three straight games in double figures. “I’m shooting the same shots, it’s just, they’re starting to fall,” Smith said. “For whatever reason it is, just happened earlier. Being aggressive earlier, trying to put the ball on the floor, get to the basket. Trying to get to the free-throw line. Just trying to be more aggressive, as opposed to waiting for it to come to me.”
- Kyle Korver, who re-signed with the Cavs for $22MM over three years, is providing more than just his play on the court, writes Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. He is also serving as a shooting coach, helping Crowder and others with their mechanics.
Please Noooo Keep Monroe pleaseeee Not Thompson he can nothing he is a looooser
At least Thompson can be there defense in the post. It would be a big loss for the cavs but a big win for the suns since it looks like they are getting rid of Monroe one way or another
Thompson’s flaws do not include being a “loser”– More like the opposite. It’s not the thing to criticize him for, after 3 straight finals while being undersized in the paint and a poor shooter!
The Suns can’t keep accumulating kids and expect them to know how to win.
I think they can do better though.
The cavs can do better than Montoe and there’s that losing one of the league’s best offensive rebounders. However the cavs could do better there as well. The issue is finding a trade partner willing to give away such a player that would make the contracts work.
Great idea. Trade a mediocre center who can sorta play defense for a mediocre center who can sorta play offense and no defense. Does sam amico even know what the cavs need
The Kardashian thing is B.S. And so what Thompson is out for the next month the cavs need to find their groove by the playoffs not tomorrow. Sam must have been drunk when he wrote that article
The showed the Kardashians filming before one game in the locker room. No way would I allow that!
I didn’t know about that yeah that shouldn’t be allowed. But if they were thinking about trading him because of it they should bar them from the locker room. Problem solved
What crap. Khloe Kardashian isn’t an actor.
Someone had to say it.
The Suns are trying to get rid off salary, not take on more. They will trade Monroe for a pick, another expiring contract or a young player. so most likely he’ll be bought out.
And THEN the cavs will take him for league minimum
I see a post LeBron Cavs lineup of pf Love,
c Thompson, sf Crowder, sg J.R. Smith,
pg Isaiah Thomas 6th man-the pick from the Nets
They showed it during a Cavs game! They figured everybody laughs at the Kardashian’s anyway. They said the Kardashian’s get to do whatever you want. I say tell Tristan to get his head out of the toilet!