Greg Monroe is a restricted free agent for the Detroit Pistons and the star could try and work out a trade this season over a long term deal, as the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and NY Knicks all would be interested if he wanted to make a move and this comes as he potentially could hit the free agent market in the summer of 2015 if he signs a one year qualifying offer.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Monroe is reportedly signing the one year qualifying offer over a long term deal, as he is not prepared to commit long term to the Pistons. Stan Van Gundy is taking over now as head coach and exec, but Monroe has been through the wringer with coaches and front office people over the last four years and those have been tough seasons in Detroit. Monroe has been healthy throughout his career and now he is betting on himself to make it to next summer.
The Pistons reportedly offered a five-year, $60 million deal to Monroe, but he says that he did not get that offer from the team. Signing the one year deal would keep him from getting traded by the Pistons, but he could make a deal happen with his approval. Monroe likely would have to agree on signing an extension with whoever trades for him, but either way, the Pistons likely will at least listen to deals if they know he is going to leave as a free agent.
Monroe could be an option for many teams and it's clear that he doesn't want to be in Detroit now, at least for the long term. Monroe has had to deal with coaching changes and other issues with the franchise and while Stan Van Gundy is taking over for at least the next few years, it doesn't seem like Monroe is eager to stay anyway. Monroe is one of the top young players in the league and he has been healthy through his short career and that is one reason why he is betting on himself.
Monroe has had to deal with playing with Josh Smith and Andre Drummond and while the Pistons would like to build around Drummond and Monroe, they have Smith on the roster and can't move him. The team tried to make a trade this summer with the Kings but that did not work out and now Smith is stuck there and that could keep the team from signing Monroe.
There are plenty of teams that would go after Monroe if he hit the market and bothe the Lakers and Knicks will have the money to compete for his services. Monroe would be one of the top players on the market if he makes it and that is partially due to his age. This season he had a strong year and he did not get much interest as a restricted free agent because the Pistons likely were going to match the offer. Monroe did not want to get an offer sheet because of that and now the one year deal is likely what will happen.