Detroit Pistons restricted free agent Greg Monroe is signing a one year qualifying offer over a long term contract with the team for this year and now a trade is unlikely since he will be hit free agency next summer and teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics all could be potential targets once he makes it to the market.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Monroe is signing the one year qualifying offer over a long term deal with the Pistons, has he has not been satisfied with the direction of the franchise over the past few years. At 23 years old Monroe has established himself as a top forward, but the Pistons have a crowded frontcourt with him, Andre Drummond and Josh Smith. The team shopped Josh Smith to the Kings, but a deal did not get done and now if Monroe hits the market next year, the Lakers, Knicks and Rockets all could be teams involved in chasing him along with the Washington Wizards.
Stan Van Gundy just was hired on as the head coach and president of basketball operations, but the team and Monroe could not agree on an extension. Monroe has been through a ton with the Pistons over the last four years, playing for a number of different coaches and also dealing with losing each year. Monroe and Eric Bledsoe were in similar positions as restricted free agents and Monroe's reps tried to keep teams from offering a long term deal to him, as the Pistons likely would have matched it.
The Pistons have signed Andre Drummond to a long term deal and they are building around him and while Monroe will risk getting injured this year as he heads to the market, he felt keeping control of his options was a more important move. Monroe was picked with the number seven overall pick four years ago and he has missed just three games and has not had any major health problems in years in the league.
The Lakers and Knicks are potential options for Monroe and some have suggested that he could also look at the Wizards if he hits the market, as they are expected to have some spending room coming up and he played college at Georgetown in the area. Monroe is one of the top young forwards in the league and he has the chance to establish himself this season again before hitting the market.
Signing that deal allows him to block any trades and while Monroe may want to get onto the market, there is a chance some teams could try and get him this year. Even without that, Monroe is a major target and he has the chance to cash in next season after signing the one year deal.
