The Heat also could sign a minimum-type power rotation player, perhaps two, if Miami doesn’t resign Luke Babbitt or Udonis Haslem to the minimum. Power rotation players who could command mid-level type money include center Greg Monroe (has some support inside the Heat; averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 26 games for Boston after a Suns buyout).
More on Greg Monroe Free Agency
The Celtics have three unrestricted free agents in Shane Larkin, Greg Monroe and Aron Baynes. Larkin likely will procure a multiyear offer from another club as a backup point guard, substantially more than the $1.5 million he earned this season. Monroe likely is gone. He was such a defensive liability and a poor finisher at the rim that Stevens couldn’t play him extensively during the playoffs.
The Boston Celtics filled their final roster spot Thursday afternoon by signing veteran big man Greg Monroe. The acquisition of the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center should give Boston a major boost in the rebounding department, as well as a solid scoring option off the bench. “I think that's a great pickup for us," said Celtics forward Marcus Morris. "He’s a player who knows how to play the game. He's been around the league awhile, so I think he'll add to our size down low, (and add) scoring.”
Adam Himmelsbach: Per sources, Greg Monroe has arrived in Boston. Cs still waiting a bit to finalize deal to keep some flexibility prior to trade deadline.
Mark Murphy: Greg Monroe hasn't signed his contract yet.
Scott Souza: Former #Celtics guard Evan Turner on impending C's signing of Greg Monroe (who is still not here today): "Greg Monroe's a beast too. That's a good pickup, man."
Irving's presence on the Celtics helped attract Monroe. I was told the Cavs didn't have a lot of interest in Monroe, who was bought out by the Phoenix Suns. Boston also could offer him more money than the Cavs or New Orleans (who wanted Monroe). He signed for $5 million and a chance to play on the team leading the Eastern Conference.
Adam Himmelsbach: Marcus Morris on Greg Monroe: “I think that’s a great pickup for us....he’s well-respected around the league. I think he’s definitely gonna be a great piece for us.”
Brian Robb: Brad Stevens won't comment on Greg Monroe yet.
Bobby Marks: The Celtics now have $115M in guaranteed salaries and are $3.5M below the tax. The Disability Exception is now expired based on the Celtics only allowed to use it on 1 Player.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Greg Monroe will sign with the Boston Celtics, league source tells ESPN.
No, the Cavs are not interested in Monroe. They didn't want him when Tristan Thompson suffered his calf injury Nov. 1 (the Bucks traded Monroe six days later to Phoenix), and they're not looking at him now that Kevin Love is out for two months. Keep in mind with any free agent, the Cavs would need to either trade a player for nothing, or waive someone (which would cost millions in luxury taxes and salaries) to sign another player.
The New Orleans Pelicans have gathered significant momentum in pursuit of impending free-agent center Greg Monroe, league sources told ESPN. New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry spoke to Monroe in the aftermath of his contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns late Wednesday night, and New Orleans will continue to make an aggressive push to sign Monroe, league sources said.
The Boston Celtics are interested in Monroe and can offer him more money for the balance of the season than New Orleans can, but his potential role would be far more limited with the Celtics. Boston can pay Monroe out of its $8.4 million disabled player exception for Gordon Hayward, but playing time appears to be a major factor in Monroe's decision, league sources said.
Gerald Bourguet: #Suns make the waiving of Greg Monroe official. PHX went 3-17 in the 20 games he played.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Chicago could take one or two more minimum expiring players in the trade, which would help create roster space for Pels to sign Greg Monroe too, league sources tell ESPN. Bulls send a second round pick and the right to exchange seconds in the 2021 Draft with Pelicans.
Tim Bontemps: I'd still expect Greg Monroe to happen for the Pelicans, as well. Anthony Davis doesn't want to play center, so Monroe could slide into that starting spot. And a three-big rotation of Davs/Monroe/Mirotic is a very nice upgrade over what New Orleans has now.
Jeff Zillgitt: Also mentioned: Greg Monroe grew up just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. His buyout from Phoenix, I’m told, was favorable enough that money doesn’t have to be a deciding factor in his decision.
The Boston Celtics will be making a hard run at Monroe and can offer more money than any other team in the market for him. Boston has an $8.4 million Disabled Player Exception (DPE) from Gordon Hayward’s injury, enough money to outbid the other playoff teams vying for his services. Danny Ainge went on 98.5 the Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich Thursday morning to confirm the DPE is a thing and he can use it.
“I think we will use that exception,” said Danny Ainge. “I’m pretty sure. Or at least a portion of it in a trade or a buyout situation before the deadline’s passed. But I’m not sure who that’s going to be yet.” But he made an important distinction. Stevens has talked about her need for more shooting and playmaking, but Ainge is not acting positionally focused at the deadline. “I think it’s more important on the player than the position right now.”
The New Orleans Pelicans have gathered significant momentum in pursuit of impending free-agent center Greg Monroe, league sources told ESPN. New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry spoke to Monroe in the aftermath of his contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns late Wednesday night, and New Orleans will continue to make an aggressive push to sign Monroe, league sources said.
The Pelicans' ability to offer Monroe the chance at a starting job -- in his childhood hometown -- is making for a compelling case with Greg Monroe, league sources said. Monroe could make a decision as soon as Friday or Saturday, league sources said.
The Boston Celtics are interested in Greg Monroe and can offer him more money for the balance of the season than New Orleans can, but his potential role would be far more limited with the Celtics. Boston can pay Monroe out of its $8.4 million disabled player exception for Gordon Hayward, but playing time appears to be a major factor in Monroe's decision, league sources said.
The Phoenix Suns reached a contract buyout with forward Greg Monroe yesterday; he is expected to clear the NBA waiver process this weekend and hit the unrestricted free agent market. The Suns tried pretty aggressively to trade Monroe and found virtually no takers on his deal. This becomes meaningful for teams like the Knicks, who are trying to move even uglier money on non-ending deals.
The New Orleans Pelicans have been desperately searching for frontcourt help since losing fallen star DeMarcus Cousins for the season, and they may be turning to a New Orleans native to fill that role. A source confirmed on Thursday that there is mutual interest between the Pelicans and veteran forward Greg Monroe, a former Helen Cox standout, on a potential free-agent deal.
Greg Monroe hit free agency on Thursday after the Phoenix Suns bought him out of the final year of his contract, which was worth $17.8 million. Landing in New Orleans would give him an opportunity to play a significant role for a team that hopes to make a return trip to the playoffs. The Pelicans are only $1.2 million below the hard cap and would likely have to make another move to free up enough cap space to sign Monroe.
Will Guillory: I can confirm the reporting out there that the Pelicans are interested in pursuing former Helen Cox standout Greg Monroe. Monroe could do a lot to bolster the New Orleans frontcourt after the loss of DeMarcus Cousins
The Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans have strong interest in Monroe and are expected to be at or near the top of his list, according to league sources.
If Monroe clears waivers, expect the New Orleans Pelicans to be interested. The Pelicans just lost center DeMarcus Cousins for the season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon. The Boston Celtics may also have interest. Monroe has an expiring contract worth $17.8 million.
Steve Bulpett: Celtics will definitely have interest in Greg Monroe, but key will be what's most important to him. Of logical suitors, Celts can offer most ($8.4 million DPE) and good chance at making Finals, but hearing he could be looking at greater opportunity for minutes in New Orleans.
The Suns have bought out the contract of veteran center Greg Monroe, azcentral sports has learned.
Bobby Marks: Greg Monroe had a $17.8M cap hit and entering Wednesday had earned $10.8M with Milwaukee and Phoenix. Before the Monroe buyout, Phoenix was $8.8M below the cap and roughly $407K above the minimum salary floor.
Jeff Zillgitt: Greg Monroe had to decide on getting rest of 2017-18 salary or taking a bit of a hit and getting a chance to join a playoff team. He can be a helpful on the right team. Produces offensively/rebounding in limited minutes.
David Aldridge: Celtics obvious potential target for Greg Monroe post-buyout. Cavs have been on the hunt for a big man before the trade deadline as well.
Chris Mannix: Boston is expected to be high on Monroe's free agent list, a source familiar with Monroe's thinking told @YahooSports. A darkhorse team to watch: Oklahoma City.
Scott Bordow: Suns have bought out Monroe's contract. Story coming
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a contract buyout with Greg Monroe, league sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Once Monroe clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent. There will be significant interest league-wide in signing Monroe for balance of the season.
Chris Mannix: Market will be robust for Greg Monroe--and Boston, armed with an $8.4 million DPE, will likely be an aggressive suitor. Celtics need a big, and Monroe has killed them in years past.
Gary Washburn: Look for the #Celtics to have interest in Greg Monroe, a definite post presence, can score around the rim and showed in MIL and PHX he can come off the bench. Also, would love to join winning situation.
Shams Charania: Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe plans to opt-in on his 2017-18 deal for $17.88 million, league sources tell @The Vertical.
The rise of young stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker could influence Monroe’s decision this off-season, but he said that is not on his mind yet. “We’re definitely doing some good things right now,” Monroe said. “I’m just focusing on the season anyway. I’m not thinking about anything like the off-season right now. There is a time and place for everything. If and when I have to make a decision, that time is not right now.”
The man the fans and his teammates call “Moose” said he heard all the summer trade talk. “No player wants that, I think,” Monroe said. “Players ask for trades, obviously. No player wants to be in those talks. I would be lying if I said I was fine with it. It happens. It’s a part of this league. When you sign up, you sign up for that to be a part of it. You take the good with the bad. I just continue to work on my game. No matter where I’m at, my work will be the same.”
Monroe admits everything has gone much smoother the second time around with the Bucks. “I’m more comfortable, definitely,” he said. “A lot of people might not realize it, but in Detroit, I only had this instance where I returned to the team with the same coach once. It has raised my comfort level coming back and not having to learn any new lingo, any new coverages. It has been a lot easier to have no adjustment period coming into this season.”
Monroe is currently backing up John Henson and is playing well. He’s the team’s third-leading scorer at 9.3 points and grabbing 6.8 rebounds despite averaging only 19.3 minutes. Monroe is being paid $17.14 million this season and has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season. If he opts in, the Bucks would be obligated to pay him $17.88M next season.
By the way: Milwaukee is already preparing for the possibility Monroe opts into his deal for 2017-18, league sources say.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Now hearing Greg Monroe could decide who he will sign with later this afternoon.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Yahoo Sources: Two small market teams have made significant inroads in the pursuit of free agent Greg Monroe: Milwaukee and Portland.
Ken Berger: In addition to Blazers, the Lakers, Knicks and Bucks are in line to meet with Greg Monroe and agent David Falk today in D.C., per source.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Greg Monroe is meeting with Portland owner Paul Allen, GM Neil Olshey and coach Terry Stotts this morning in Washington, DC.
Al Iannazzone: Knicks were first team to meet with Greg Monroe in D.C. early this morning. Bucks followed. The Lakers are scheduled to meet with him today.
Detroit Pistons free agent Greg Monroe did not include the Boston Celtics on the list of teams he’ll visit with on Wednesday, the first day of free agency. But a league source tells CSNNE.com that the Celtics are by no means eliminated from contention for the big man. A USA Today report indicated that the 6-foot-11 big man will visit with the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers within the first 24 hours of free agency.
Free agent forward-center Greg Monroe plans to meet with four teams in the first 24 hours of a free agency. The Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers are on Monroe's list on day one of free agency, and there is a possibility he meets with other teams, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
Frank Isola: As the Daily News reported in April, an NBA executive called Greg Monroe to the Knicks "about as close to a done deal as you can get."
When the NBA’s free-agency period begins Wednesday, New Orleanian Greg Monroe will be one of the top big men available. Monroe, an unrestricted free agent who played five years with the Detroit Pistons, joins centers Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge as those available who could most bolster a team’s frontcourt. Five teams have shown serious interest — the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Monroe said he’ll meet with those teams this week. “I’m looking to be with a team that’s ready to win,” said Monroe during a timeout at his youth basketball clinic Saturday morning at the Delgado Community College gymnasium. “Hopefully it will be a team where I’m the missing piece.”
Monroe signed Detroit’s tender offer of $5,479,933 before last season after a rookie contract of four years, $13,110,094. It was not lost on him that he may be an unrestricted free agent a year too soon. The NBA’s new nine-year, $24 billion television contract kicks in before the 2016-17 season. That will affect the type of contract Monroe signs, he said. “(He and agent David Falk) are definitely looking at all our options,” he said. “You can see the trend is everybody’s taking shorter deals right now. So, most likely, I might take that route, too, and when the new deal kicks in, get a longer-term contract. I’m looking at a two-year deal plus an option” to become a free agent.
On the Monroe front, the specific date of the Knicks’ meeting with the Pistons' big man is unclear at this point. Monroe is believed to be high on the Knicks’ list of free agents they’d like to pursue. Pistons president and head coach Stan Van Gundy has said it is unlikely that Monroe returns to Detroit.
Jared Zwerling: As Greg Monroe is a top choice for NY, I'm told, will be intrigue w/ David West. Tough leader NY needs, plays 4. Melo/West/Monroe frontline?
The Pistons are not expected to have any shot at Monroe in free agency and traded earlier this month for power forward Ersan Ilyasova to fill his starting spot. "The door's not closed," on Monroe, Van Gundy said. "We're not entirely optimistic on that situation, but no, the door's not closed, because Greg would obviously fill one of the (open roster) spots, and even another roster spot as a backup four, and then we just spend what's left after Greg to go try to get a three."
Stan Van Gundy and Jeff Bower spoke to the media today about the upcoming NBA draft, but it was perhaps a comment about Greg Monroe that was most newsworthy. Van Gundy admitted he was "not entirely optimistic" about bringing Monroe back to Detroit as an unrestricted free agent.
However, Ilyasova could be the Pistons’ full-time starter as veteran Greg Monroe will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. There is strong speculation Monroe will sign with either New York or Boston.
The Pistons' acquisition of Ersan Ilyasova from the Bucks signals strongly that Detroit anticipates losing restricted free agent Greg Monroe this summer. Ilyasova is a better complement to Andre Drummond, and Monroe will command a max offer sheet starting at about $15 million. The Knicks are one of the teams known to have Monroe on their radar.
