Once NBA Free Agency kicks off, one big man who may not be as sound as Marc Gasol or Kevin Love will be looking at what is on the table. He goes by the name of Greg Monroe.
Though he is not flashy or dominant, he does get the job done expected from a big man. He has proven himself over in Detroit and he could carry on that hard work to other teams. Right now, the belief is that he could either end up in Boston or New York.
So which may have the upper hand? In all likeliness it will be the team which can give him the best (higher) offer. The Pistons had their chance to secure Monroe (with a long term deal) but with all that under the bridge now. Monroe is likely to get that from other teams starting this July.
Would Monroe be of big help to either squad? The likely scenario seems contrasting.
With the Celtics, he joins a team riding high on a milestone that of which was making the NBA playoffs despite a team with no superstars. A glaring hole was in the middle and Monroe is perfectly fit for that.
With Monroe, the Celtics get a hardworking big man who can control the boards and intimidate the opposing team on the offensive.
The story is however different with the Knicks. New York is still rebuilding though the thought of playing alongside Carmelo Anthony should be something to look forward to. But aside from that, it remains to be seen who Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher will bring in as the Knicks squad tries to take shape.
Other takers? One cannot discount the Los Angeles Lakers too who are on the prowl for a big man though they have that chance through the coming NBA Draft with possibly Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor. But a veteran is still a veteran and Monroe has been in the league for some time now.
He is not flashy but a scrapper, something any coach would love to have in his team. Will Monroe shine? We will see this coming 2015-16 NBA season.
