The Washington Post reports that Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe and his agent sought sign-and-trade deals with both the Blazers and Thunder during their messy standoff in restricted free agency with Detroit.
Monroe and his agent, David Falk, never sought an offer sheet from another team but pursued sign-and-trade proposals with at least five other teams, including Portland and Oklahoma City, according to person familiar with the discussions. Monroe denied receiving a reported five-year, $60 million offer -- or anything close -- from Pistons and would’ve been unlikely to accept either way.
via Greg Monroe maximizing limited leverage with Detroit Pistons - The Washington Post.
You would assume, but can't be sure, that there was at least some mutual interest between the clubs and Monroe's camp to pursue such a deal. The Thunder could definitively use a post scorer and with Serge Ibaka's length and defensive acumen, Monroe can comfortably play center there. It would give them a fourth star to provide balance. But then, any move for Monroe would either have to send Russell Westbrook or Serge Ibaka, and that seems unlikely. The only other move would involve the Thunder going significantly into the luxury tax, and that's unlikely as well.
Portland's an interesting option, from the perspective of providing a low-post bruiser next to LaMarcus Aldridge. But given the Blazers' defensive woes last season, and how well and how much Robin Lopez contributed last season, you have to think they're reticent to make any drastic changes to the club.
So it's no wonder those deals haven't materialized. Monroe, meanwhile, let it be known he plans to sign the qualifying offer which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer... but still hasn't done so. Are they hoping for a last-minute trade to get the deal they want? Time's running out before training camp, and this issue doesn't seem close to resolution.
