Monroe isn't a C, so let's put that to rest unless it's a rare small lineup. You pair him with Mahinmi or Biyombo at C and you have a top 5 starting lineup in the West. Monroe a legit post threat to command a double in the post for open 3s. He actually had more FT attempts this season than LaMarcus and shoots 75% at the stripe.
I posted above, I'm pretty sure we don't. So I'd probably actually rather carry cap space into the season for the potential of a deadline deal rather than trade cap-space for Monroe.
I think this could be done. Trade Davis for him; that would cost about 10 million in cap space. After renouncing Roberts, Henderson and Kaman we would have 24 million minus the 10 million equals 14 million. Need to renounce Harkless then, adds another 9 million, so that's 23 million to sign Horford. Get rid of Montero and Alexander brings to 25 million which you have to hope he would go for just to keep the team his going to strong. Or trade Vonleh which gets you close to 26 million.
This is the part that got my attention. Monroe is pretty meh to me, but I'd love to add Millsap. He's the kind of two way player we need to add to take this team to the next level. If ATL loses Horford and decides to blow it up, do you think that would be enough to pry away Millsap? BOS has a lot more to offer, but they may be focused on bigger names and may miss out on a chance to land Millsap. No matter who else we get, I'd love to see Neil swoop in and steal Millsap. Given that Durant isn't likely, my top four targets this summer would be: Al Horford - two way player that can score and defend both inside and outside. One of the best in the business defending the pick-and-roll. Jimmy Butler - another two way player who is a lock down perimeter defender with enough size to play the 3 alongside Dame and C.J. Paul Millsap - yet another way player who is a top 5 defender, only player to finish in the top 10 in both BLKs and STLs. Hassan Whiteside - great rim protector, with a limited, but efficient offensive game. Red flags about his attitude, but worth the gamble. Get me any one of those guys and I'll be ecstatic. Get me two of them, and I'll go all Kingspeed and start planning the parade route. BNM
Well, that's why I'm wondering if maybe Neil might use the cap space for trades instead of trying to lure a big name guy. Could he chop up our space paired with players to get two key front court guys?
Never mind--I misunderstood the notion of early bird rights, which you get after two years. So we wouldn't have full 3 year bird rights, but we'd have early bird rights (as Milwaukee will), which is more than sufficient for anything Monroe would be worth.
Okay, so scenario #2. Durant leaves OKC (doesn't matter where he signs) We trade for Monroe (capspace + pick) Go after Ibaka. He's making chicken scratch. Something like $13 million per year. I'd actually prefer Millsap though.
The Pistons tried that. He plays better as a center. He and Drummond could not play together. They both played significantly better apart.
I dunno if I would even want him for pure cap space. I feel they'd need to pay me to take him on. Maybe some other team would, and then so be it. But no chance am I moving Plumlee, Davis, 2nds, anything for him.
I was thinking this as well until I saw that he only has one year left on his contract. (assuming he opts out) And at only 17 mil it is not a big hit on their salary cap. At the very least they can dump him at the trade deadline.
I agree that I wouldn't want to move any assets for him, but if it came down to Monroe for cap space, or lose the cap space and get nothing, I'm going to take Monroe. I trust in Stotts to find a way to work him into the offense. Guys seem to come in and play their best under Terry.
Also, with his passing ability, along with Plumlee's, we'd have one of the best passing frontcourts around.
It would be funny if we cashed in our cap space before free agency even started. Trade for Monroe. Trade for Millsap. Done.
