Ersan Ilyasova Trade Creates Greg Monroe Speculations

The Detroit Pistons recently traded two scrap pieces Caron Butler and Shawne Williams for the Milwaukee Bucks’ forward Ersan Ilyasova.

Butler averaged 5.9 points and Williams averaged 2.6 points per game this season for Detroit. Ilyasova on the other hand averaged 11.5 points this season for Milwaukee.

This trade can have a huge rippling effect for the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics according to Gery Woelfel of Journal Times.

"However, he (Ilyasova) could be the Pistons’ full-time starter as veteran Greg Monroe will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. There is strong speculation Monroe will sign with either New York or Boston."

Ilyasova at the four makes a lot more sense to pair up next to Piston’s athletic freak Andre Drummond. Ilyasova can open up the court for Drummond with his three-point shooting. Ilyasova shot 38.9% from beyond the arc this season and is a career 37% three-point shooter.

Terry Foster of The Detroit News put it best regarding the Ilyasova trade.

"Now the Pistons can enjoy more flexibility to spread the floor offensively and still have a big man that can swat shots as a help defender inside.The move also indicates that the Pistons realize their chances of signing unrestricted free agent Greg Monroe are slim.More from Daily KnicksFormer New York Knicks center gets real about 2013 playoff shortcomingsWhen is the deadline for the Knicks to extend Immanuel Quickley?3 Rumored Knicks trade targets not worth giving up RJ Barrett forBill Simmons ‘guarantees’ Knicks will have one of three stars by next yearHow to watch New York Knicks players compete for bronze at World CupIlyasova is the anti-Monroe.Ilyasova is an outside shooter. Monroe is not.Monroe is a good rebounder. Ilyasova is just OK.Monroe sometimes gets in the way of Andre Drummond’s developing inside offensive game. Ilyasova won’t.The Pistons got him without giving up a lot."

The biggest takeaway for Knick’s fan is that this move is another indication that Monroe is in play for New York via free agency this summer. Even though Detroit’s head coach Stan Van Gundy denies this speculation during an interview with The Detroit News.

"“It does not mean we have given up on Greg Monroe, not at all,”“It gives us flexibility. The Greg situation is still up in the air. But it certainly gives us other options, a guy who is a stretch four who can play like this. He is also able to put the ball on the floor and attack. We like his style.”"

Whether Van Gundy is putting up a smokescreen for the Monroe/Detroit relationship for now or not, it does not take away from the fact that this move strongly indicates that major change is ahead for the Pistons. Then there were also the reports of Monroe to the Knicks all but guaranteed towards the end of the season, with Monroe quickly refuting that fact in order to save face.

Monroe is entering the prime of his career at the age of 25 and averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds this season. Monroe collected 33 double-doubles this season in 69 games played. Monroe only played 69 games because of a two game suspension by the NBA due to driving while visibly impaired and a knee injury (which is always worrisome for a big man) that kept him out for 11 games in the middle of the season.

Monroe to the Knicks is looking more and more realistic, whether it is a good thing for New York is another question up for debate.

Next: Would Greg Monroe Be a Good Fit With Carmelo Anthony?