The Detroit Pistons are coming into the season with major questions and after Greg Monroe signed a one year deal, the team may look at a Josh Smith trade again to the Sacramento Kings, as that could help the team sign Monroe long term as a free agent next summer when he hits the market again.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Monroe was reluctant to sign a new deal with a management team that just came in, as Monroe has dealt with numerous changes and losing for years. Monroe said he would be open to staying in Detroit even after this season, but he felt that signing the one year qualifying offer was a better move than going for a long term deal now. Smith was mentioned in trade rumors all summer and keeping Monroe long term could be contingent on the team making a move with Smith finally.
The Pistons have Stan Van Gundy calling the shots now and he wants to keep Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe long term, but having Smith on the roster makes that a tough move. The Pistons have long been mentioned as a team that is looking to offload Smith and while the Kings were the most likely option, there is a chance another team could come up this season at the deadline.
Monroe was on the free agent market for most of the summer and did not get much interest from other teams, but that was more about his restricted status than his skills as a player. Many teams will be going after Monroe once he hits the market next summer and it comes after he signed a one year deal with the Pistons on their qualifying offer. Monroe is a young player and he has immense talent and potential and that is why he is in line to get a significant deal if he makes it to the free agent market.
Teams with money to spend will be going after him and with Kevin Love off the market, he could be one of the most coveted big men out there. The Knicks reportedly will chase Monroe, while the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics also could be in the mix. Pro Basketball Talk reported that Gasol would be a target for the Celtics, but if he opts to sign elsewhere, teams may go after Monroe harder. The Celtics want to keep Rajon Rondo and if they do that, they will want another significant free agent for him to play with and Monroe or Gasol could be that guy.
The east is going to be tough this season and if the Pistons are terrible again, there is a good chance that Monroe could leave. Monroe has said that he is open to staying, but right now he felt it was better to sign a one year deal than a long term contract. Monroe averaged 15 points and nine rebounds last season and at 24 years old he only should get better. The Lakers look like a prime target for him next year after the Kevin Love to Cavs deal, but it remains to be seen how they will attack free agency.