I think they (Harkless/Aminu) play two different positions. I want a Harkless, Crabbe SF combo. But that trade scenario gives up too much D for my liking. Aminu can covers spread 4's and Davis is our best interior defender. We get worse
I think we will be using cap space (and only if we strike out in free agency) but with that said the only deal I would do for Monroe without strickly cap space is sign and trade of Meyers Leonard. Monroe makes 17 Mil though this year. So even in the scenario where Meyers makes 14 (for example) we are still using a little cap space. I don't want to lose Ed Davis even if we get Monroe.
The big problem isn't Monroe guarding PFs, the problem is with Meyers and Monroe, we'd have the worst pick-and-roll defense in the league. Meyers is good at bodying up (and pissing off) big men down low, but doesn't have the lateral foot speed to defend the pick-and-roll. Monroe doesn't protect the rim well, or defend the pick and roll well. Combine those two with Dame and C.J. on the perimeter and teams would pick us apart in the pick-and-roll. BNM
back to my "order matters" post, we don't pursue him at all unless we strike out in FA. I think Whiteside and Horford are our plan A1 and A2.
For me, I'd MUCH rather try to get Millsap and Horford or Whiteside. The reason why nobody wants Monroe is because he has to play center, but he plays zero defense. If he could play next to a rim protector it would be fine, but he can't. Drummond is the ultimate rim protector and they played HORRIBLE next to each other.
Good thoughts, here's another: It's very possible Bosh retires. If that happens, Miami will unravel, and PDX will seem more desirable. #tryingnottogetmyhopesupbutIthinkweimprovesignificantlyifwegetWhiteside
Adding Monroe just doesn't make any sense. - If we acquire him for cap space, there goes any shot at signing Al, KD, Hassan, etc (all players significantly better than Greg Monroe) - He's a poor defender. If we try to keep some cap space, that likely means trading away Davis or Aminu who happen to be two of our best defenders - Meyers and Monroe are a great fit offensively, but neither can guard PFs - He'd likely be a one-year rental as he'll definitely opt out next season ... Do we really want to pay Monroe 20+ million in 2017?
Then that's not Monroe. He does most of his scoring down low (average FG distance 4.1 ft.). He really doesn't have a midrange game (only 6.7% of his FGA were in the 10 - 16 ft. range) and he has never made a 3-pointer in his 6-year NBA career. Monroe doesn't create space, he consumes it. That's why he was such a poor fit next to Drummond. He would be a good fit next to Al Horford, if we could get both, but that says more about Horford than Monroe. Horford is versatile enough to be a good fit with almost anyone. And, if we can get Al Horford, I say fuck Greg Monroe, his shitty defense, his $17 million one year rental and his limited offensive game. BNM
Isn't Al Jefferson a free agent? He seems like a pretty similar player but a lot cheaper (also older and more injury prone).
Funny I was thinking the same thing. His passing would benefit Monroe. But that is a moot point, unless he came back with one. Ideally a rim protector who can step outside on offense. Not sure a PF like that exists. I can see why Neil thought a LMA/Monroe might work. But forget about a rim protector, just getting a good defender is more important IMO because the way the game is changing. He has to guard the perimeter too. Horford might work if you gave up contracts in the trade. (Mark Gasol could work) Currently on the roster, I think you could surround him with Harkless and Aminu against some teams, Crabbe and Davis again others. Vonleh is the wild card. Can he develop a mid range shot? As most of you have said.....Monroe is plan C or D.
Well, our cap space is toast after this summer, so if it's Monroe or nothing, I'd take him. If it's a situation where we're looking at Crabbe/Harkless already signed a deal and we have to match, but we can't get anyone to agree to a deal, I'd take him. We need a third scorer badly, and we need post scoring badly, so he definitely fits those needs. There are just guys I would rather have. If we got him for nothing and kept all our guys, I guess I'm fine with that. Here is a scenario that I could see playing out: Neil can't get anyone to commit (IE Whiteside/Horford) and someone signs Crabbe or Harkless to an offer sheet. We trade cap space + future pick for Monroe. Monroe is making $17,100,000 next season, so if we could dump a little salary maybe we'd have enough space left over to absorb some salary on another trade. We're supposed to have around $25ish million in space. I'd offer up Davis/Vonleh/Cleveland pick for Millsap. That gives them a young replacement in Davis and clears around $8 million off their cap. Sign Crabbe. Sign Harkless. Let Meyers walk, otherwise we don't have the space to absorb Millsap. Dame/?? CJ/Crabbe Aminu/Harkless Millsap/Aminu/Harkless Monroe/Plumlee This is pretty much the only scenario I would be okay with.
