The Milwaukee Bucks' out-of-place center Greg Monroe is still available in the trade market and the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are said to be looking closely on what type of deal they can offer.
Reports are out all summer that the 26-year-old former Georgetown big man is on the block for Milwaukee after proving to be an ill-fit to their young roster last season.
He does not fit the Bucks' young core particularly on the defensive end, making them vulnerable in the middle every time he is on the court, thus not allowing the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, and Michael Carter-Williams to run the floor on the break as much as they wanted to.
Monroe may have produced averages of 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in 79 games for head coach Jason Kidd in 2015-2016, his first season with the club after signing a three-year deal last summer, but his old school, back-to-the-basket style of play with limited defense is no longer effective in Milwaukee's new school, small ball, slash-and-shoot system.
However, no team seemed to be interested in even approaching the Bucks for a potential deal involving Monroe, who is set to earn $17.1 million next season and $17.8 million in 2017-2018 before his current contract expires and he becomes a free agent.
Fansided's Behind the Bucks Pass suggested that a trade with the Hornets "make more sense than any other team in the NBA" because Charlotte had been quite experienced in getting the most out of an old school center.
Case in point was Al Jefferson, who had been with the Hornets for the past three seasons before moving to the Indiana Pacers this summer. Jefferson, also a slow-footed back-to-the basket big man, thrived as a starter in Charlotte and completed three quite productive seasons there as their man in the middle.
Meanwhile, Pelican Debrief is speculating that Monroe could the Pelicans new starting center as Anthony Davis slides back to his more comfortable power forward position next season.
It would also be a good option for Monroe as he hails from New Orleans, having spent his youth days at the Helen Cox High School in Harvey, Louisiana. The Pelicans and its fans would most definitely welcome him as their son despite the noticeable flaws in his game.
