This is what Greg Monroe wanted, what he took a big gamble to get. He wanted out of Detroit, where he did not feel wanted in the least. He walked away from an offer in the four-year, $50 million range to play for $5.4 million last season, just to get out of Detroit.
That time has come, free agency is hours from starting and Monroe is a restricted free agent.
While he has been linked to the Knicks since about the minute he turned down that Pistons offer last summer (if not much earlier) the center will meet with four teams, reports Jeff Zillgitt of the USA Today.The Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers are on Monroe’s list on day one of free agency, and there is a possibility he meets with other teams, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
Another factor in the Monroe negotiations: Monroe is interested in a three-year deal with the ability to opt out after the 2016-17 season and hit free agency in the summer of 2017 and take advantage of a salary cap that is projected to hit $108 million.
Monroe is going to get max offers, although at first teams may balk at that two-year opt out. However, with multiple teams in the bidding, someone will offer it to him.
Monroe is a good offensive player whose game may have room to breathe not being paired with Andre Drummond, plus Monroe is a beast on the boards — he averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds a game last season.
Monroe would be a strong player at one corner of the Knicks triangle — and let’s be honest, the Knicks need talent upgrades everywhere, and Monroe is a borderline All-Star player. Monroe paired with Julius Randle up front in Los Angeles with D’Angelo Russell feeding them the rock has offensive potential (defense might be an issue). Same in Milwaukee, where they have a nice young team and Monroe with Jabari Parker would be a force up front. Portland is likely to lose LaMarcus Aldridge, and Monroe could step right in that slot.
They are all interesting options. Which is exactly what Monroe wanted.