The Greg Monroe saga continues. He and Eric Bledsoe just cannot seem to get themselves under contract for the 2014 season. The Detroit Pistons are aware that their resident big man is not happy with the team and wants out. They have attempted to facilitate several deals that involve sign-and-trades, long-term contracts and trading Josh Smith instead. Nothing has worked and Monroe still stands as a restricted free agent in limbo. However, the Atlanta Hawks could be emerging as the latest candidate to take a stab at acquiring Monroe.
According to Adrian Wojnarowsi of Yahoo Sports, the Atlanta Hawks are emerging as the lone candidate to make a deal for Monroe this offseason. NBA sources are reporting that the Pistons are trying to work out a sign-and-trade with the Hawks since the center has no interest in remaining in Detroit. The issue is what the trade consists of. The pistons want value back from Monroe and the Hawks are not willing to give up their key contributors for the center.
The Hawks swung and miss on most pursuits this offseason. They tried to sign several players including Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer, but came up empty handed. The team needs a big man to help build on. They played all of last season without Al Horford and while they are hoping to have him healthy, there are no guarantees. Horford is only 28, but has faced trade rumors several times this offseason. The Hawks have to ask themselves if making a deal for Monroe is worth it.
Atlanta has no desire to deal Paul Millsap. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Hawks like Millsap and could extend his contract next offseason. Millsap will be a free agent which makes him easy trade bait, so the Hawks must determine if they want a younger Monroe instead. Outside of him or Horford, the Hawks do not have a package that will likely excite the Pistons. If the Hawks were to simply place an offer sheet on Monroe, Detroit would match it no matter what since the team has wanted to give him a contract from the start of the offseason.
Monroe's offseason drama is nowhere near from ending. A deal with the Hawks is not coming in the next week, but the team is reportedly considering it. The Hawks surprised the league last season by taking the Indiana Pacers to seven games in the playoffs and they look to capitalize on that in 2014.