Veteran center Greg Monroe, who continues to recover from a calf injury, reported to his new team on Thursday, but he admits he doesn’t know whether he’ll actually suit up for the Suns, per Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic. Monroe said yesterday that he – along with agent David Falk – spoke briefly to Ryan McDonough, acknowledging to the Suns’ general manager that he recognizes he may not fit into the team’s plans.
“I just told them I understand the plan they have in place and how they want to approach the season,” Monroe said. “I told them, ‘If you want me to play, I’ll always play. I’ll never be one not to want to play. If not, we’ll just work together and find the best option for everyone.’ But I’m more than happy to play here.”
Although Monroe says he was “blindsided” by the trade that sent him from Milwaukee to Phoenix in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, he’s unlikely to be caught off guard a second time. The Suns have a logjam at center and a report on the heels of this week’s trade indicated that the club likely won’t keep Monroe through the 2017/18 season.
Still, as I noted on Thursday, even though Monroe has an expiring contract, his $18MM salary won’t be easy to move, particularly if the Suns don’t want to take any future salary back. The Bucks had reportedly been exploring the trade market for Monroe off and on for the last year and hadn’t had much luck until this week, so there’s little reason to expect Phoenix to be able to find good value for the big man right away.
If the Suns don’t find a viable deal soon for Monroe, they’ll probably hang onto him for a little while rather than jumping right into buyout talks, but buying him out remains a possibility. In that event, Monroe would certainly clear waivers and then would be free to sign with any team except the Bucks.
What do you think? Is there a team out there that makes sense as a trade partner for the Suns in a Monroe deal? If he’s bought out, which club do you think would be the best fit for Monroe?
Jump into the comment section below to weigh in!
He would be a good add to the C’s if he’s bought out but if it’s a trade I could see the Cavs as a good bet
Until Isaiah Thomas and Tristan Thompson come back, I don’t think Cavs will do anything. Maybe at trade deadline.
I think if He’s bought out he goes to the C’s for sure! be a great contender!
Celtics could be a team for Monroe … they could use another big boy to play the 5 to give Baynes rest and it would the team to keep moving Horford back to the 4 or play the 5 when they want to play small… but Monroe could be another big body bruiser who isn’t afraid to mix it up under the boards
If the Suns buy Monroe out, this makes sense. He tested free agency and the Bucks tried to trade him for a long time.
back to MKE if the suns end up buying out his contract
Not allowed in the CBA
Send Monroe and Troy Daniels and a second round pick to Charlotte for Marvin Williams and a second
Charlotte wouldn’t do that lol, they already have Howard, Zeller and Kaminsky
Good joke acarnglia !!!
Oh dear god is Monroe and Chandler for Jesus and Lebron and the rights to Kobe’s first born child what you want?
I believe Monroe will be bought out. That’s by far the most likely scenario.
The only types of trades that will work are (1) those that throw a big expiring back at PHX, so it’s just a swap of bad $$. Or (2) Maybe something like an Ed Davis + Meyers Leonard where PHX is taking back some expiring cash and a bit of future commitment in a younger but under-performing player like Leonard.
Raptors might be a fit.