The Milwaukee Bucks this season is a revitalized and much-improved squad compared to last season and a 7–8 win–loss record is a testament that this year will give Jason Kidd's team a better finish and possibly a deeper playoff run. The team is riding on the improvement of a young core led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, John Henson, and new acquisition, Matthew Dellavedova.
But if there's one player who suddenly found himself out of place, it is veteran center Greg Monroe, who is obviously hoping to get more playing time this season. The problem though is the team is quite beefed up in the frontcourt, with both Antetokounmpo and Parker better suited for Kidd's up-tempo style of basketball. With this in mind, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise if Monroe finds himself playing for another team before the February 2017 trade deadline in the NBA.
Per statistics from Fan Rag, Monroe's numbers this season have significantly dropped to career lows, including 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 17.7 minutes per game. Although he's not the worst shooter percentage-wise, it is becoming clearer and clearer that the big man is unfit for the system being embraced by Kidd and his coaching staff.
In a league that's rapidly turning in favor of small ball, big men who can run and play up-tempo are becoming more in demand these days, which is also why Henson and another big man, Miles Plumlee, are getting more playing time. So in order for Monroe to get the playing time he covets, he and the Bucks should be on the same page when it comes to finding him a team to go to.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the reason why the team is giving Monroe a very limited role is to relay a message to the rest of the league that they're shopping him. Stein went on to say that the Bucks have been trying to explore the possibilities of trading him since last season. But as of this moment, the biggest reason why no team is currently sending out feelers is because Monroe's contract is just too huge to absorb, the same reason why he is likely going to stay in Milwaukee longer than he expects.
