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Should the Charlotte Hornets Trade For Greg Monroe?

By Jerry Stephens

Nov 29, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) defends during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) defends during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets may be looking for a big man this offseason and the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly looking to trade Greg Monroe. Could a trade be in the works?

It has been reported by Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops that the Milwaukee “Bucks are shopping Greg Monroe hard.” He signed wth the Bucks last offseason and he is set to make $17.1 million next year. Monroe also has a $17.8 million player option for the 2017-2018 season. The team has plenty of cap space this summer to take on his contract.

The Charlotte Hornets may be in the market for a big man this summer and Greg Monroe could potentially be on their radar. The team has money to spend this summer and trading for a proven veteran like Greg may be a move that they could make. He is a solid big man who has terrific low post skills.

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Monroe is coming off of a season where he averaged 15.3 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. He shot 52.2% from the field in 29.3 minutes per game. It was his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks after five years with the Detroit Pistons.

The Charlotte Hornets may have an opening at their center position for next season as Al Jefferson is set to be a free agent. Cody Zeller and Spencer Hawes are not at the level of Monroe and making a deal for Greg could put the team as a contender in the Eastern Conference. It is unlikely that the team will re-sign Big Al unless he takes a dramatic pay cut and even then it isn’t a sure thing.

Cody Zeller took over the starting center role for the Hornets when Jefferson was forced to miss time with an injury and a suspension. He has developed nicely for Charlotte but he may never become the player that Monroe is today. He does have athleticism and speed but he has not shown any signs of developing the offensive post game that Greg possesses.

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Monroe has also stayed relatively healthy for most of his career so there isn’t an injury concern with him. He played in 79 games this past season and the most games he has ever missed in a season was 13 in 2014-2015. With all the injuries to Spencer Hawes and Al Jefferson, it would be nice to have a big man in charlotte that could stay healthy for a full season.

Greg would be an upgrade over every current center on the Hornets’ roster. He is also versatile in that he can play both the center and power forward positions. He isn’t a great defensive player but he does average close to one block and steal per game. Monroe is athletic enough to run the floor and pick-and-rolls but he is also big enough to help defend the paint better than Zeller and Hawes.

It would take a lot for the Hornets to make a deal with the Bucks for Monroe and it would likely include a package of players and future picks. Zeller, Hawes, and Jeremy Lamb are all potential pieces that would likely be included in a deal as well as a future first round pick. But if the team is willing to leverage some of their future, they could have instant success.

Next: Charlotte Can Still Add Value Despite No Lottery Pick

It will be interesting to see if the Milwaukee Bucks do in fact deal Greg Monroe this offseason and which team will make a move for him. The Charlotte Hornets should at least make a call to Milwaukee’s front office this summer. Their biggest need is at center and Monroe would be a huge upgrade that could put them in contention for an Eastern Conference title.

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