The Detroit Pistons have Greg Monroe back on a one year deal and a trade could be an option in the future if Monroe allows it, as teams like the LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, NY Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards all could be interested in signing him next summer and this comes as the Pistons tried hard this summer to trade Josh Smith to the Sacramento Kings, but it did not work out.
According to ESPN.com, Monroe said that he is excited to start the season and that he is looking forward to getting back on the court after being a restricted free agent and signing the one year qualifying offer. Monroe also added that he has not ruled out returning to the Pistons and Marc Stein from ESPN.com reports that teams like the Lakers and Knicks (who will have money to spend) along with the Rockets, Pacers and Wizards all could be interested in signing Monroe as a free agent.
Monroe had a another strong season while averaging 15.2 points and nine rebounds and now his career averages are 14.0 points per game with 9.0 rebounds and he is taking that to free agency. Monroe has not ruled out a return to the Pistons, but at this point over the summer he did not want to sign a long term deal with the team unless it was for the max. The Pistons reportedly made him a large offer, but the two sides could not agree and now Monroe is heading towards free agency again.
Monroe was a restricted free agent this summer and he did not get much interest on the market because the Pistons made it clear that they would match the offers. Monroe is a young player and that makes him a very attractive option on the free agent market and he also has been very healthy through his career. Monroe will come up in trade rumors this season, but after signing that deal as an RFA he has the power to say no and he comes in betting on himself after not coming to an agreement with the Pistons.
Most players in Monroe's position sign the long term deal, but after playing in at least 80 games in three of the last four seasons, including all 82 last year, Monroe is ready to put his health to the test. Monroe can get more money on the open market and at 24 years old he still has basically his entire career ahead of him. Monroe has dealt with losing and coaching changes each season and that is one reason why he is reluctant to sign long term with the Pistons, at least right now.
With Stan Van Gundy coming in, the team could have a bounce back year and that could change things for Monroe. Monroe and Andre Drummond are two great building blocks, but having Josh Smith there complicates things and that could lead to a deal for someone. The Pistons shopped Smith to the Kings this summer and while no deal was able to get done, things could pick up around the trade deadline, especially if the Pistons think Monroe will stay if Smith goes.
