The Detroit Pistons have Greg Monroe on a one year deal and while he has trade power, teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls could look to make a deal at the deadline before he hits free agency, but if the Pistons end up trading Josh Smith to the Sacramento Kings, which was rumored this summer, Monroe likely will stay and sign a free agent deal next summer.
Monroe is one of the top young players in the league at his position and the Pistons want to keep him, but there is a chance that he could move in free agency next summer. Monroe signed a one year qualifying offer with the Pistons over the long term deal he could have signed and he essentially has bet on himself heading into next summer. Monroe can put a stop to trades, but according to SI.com, that won't stop teams from asking the Pistons about him.
Chris Mannix from SI.com put together a trade preview heading into the season and along with Rajon Rondo and Roy Hibbert, Mannix picked Monroe as one of the players in the east that could get some attention. The Knicks, Lakers, Celtics and Chicago Bulls all could be options for Monroe next summer and Mannix writes that one of those teams could try and step up this season. The Pistons likely will not look to trade Monroe and they have Andre Drummond and Josh Smith in the front court and that could lead to a deal for Smith.
Over the summer ESPN.com reported that the Pistons were looking to trade Smith and the Sacramento Kings were the team they were talking to. Pro Basketball Talk reported that Monroe wasn't going to sign if Smith wasn't traded and while he came out to say that report was false, some grains of truth may be in there. Monroe has had to deal with losing for his first three seasons in Detroit and with Smith also playing up front, it has gotten very crowded with the Pistons in the frontcourt. Ideally the team wants to build around Drummond and Monroe, but Smith's contract made negotiating difficult.
If the Pistons end up trading Smith at some point this season, it would make things much easier this summer for Monroe. There is a good chance that will happen and if it does, expect the Pistons to turn down any trade offers they get for Monroe. Monroe had a strong season last year and he is gearing up for another good season and by betting on himself, Monroe could cash in after the year as long as he remains healthy. Monroe has remained healthy through his career and this season is the most important one for him to get through.
Monroe had a great game in his first start of the season with 23 points and 18 rebounds for the Pistons and that is one reason why Detroit wants to keep him long term. Last season Monroe averaged 15.2 points and nine rebounds and he will be in good position if he puts up numbers like that again. Expect Smith to come up at the trade deadline with the Kings and other teams.