The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly set to trade Greg Monroe to his hometown squad, the New Orleans Pelicans, this summer. The said deal will unlikely be hindered by the Los Angeles Lakers, who were also rumored to be interested in acquiring the former Georgetown standout.
Fansided reported that the 26-year-old Louisiana native "wants to be traded to the Pelicans" after a tumultuous year with the Bucks. Monroe was signed by the Bucks to a three-year, $50 million deal last summer and was expected to be the center that the team is waiting for to finally go deeper in the playoffs.
He did go on to average 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 79 games for Milwaukee last season, but he proved to be a liability in defense, which had stalled the run-and-gun system that head coach Jason Kidd was trying to implement with his young core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, and Michael Carter-Williams.
The Bucks ended up with a disappointing 33-49 record, finishing 12th place in the Eastern Conference and missing the postseason after they qualified in the playoffs during the previous season without Monroe.
The report said that "Milwaukee could be ready to deal Monroe" this offseason as they continue their search for the ideal center that would fit their roster.
As for Monroe, New Orleans could be the best destination for him as it would give him a chance to go back and play for his hometown NBA club. The problem, though, is if the Pelicans are also interested in him, which seems to be not the case at the moment.
It should be noted that head coach Alvin Gentry already has Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca alternating at the position, plus the fact that Monroe is again an ill-fit if played together with Anthony Davis as both players command the ball to be effective, and so it looks like a long-shot deal.
Meanwhile, Lakers Nation indicated that even though the Lakers are rumored to be interested in Monroe, the team is "highly unlikely" to try and pursue him this summer. It was mentioned that the traditional center is again incompatible with new head coach Luke Walton's speed and small ball system, which is ideal for the team's current crop of big men, namely Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Tarik Black, rookie Ivica Zubac, and newcomer Timofey Mozgov.
