Greg Monroe Pursuing Two-Year Deal with a Contender

As previously reported, the New York Knicks are a, “Strong candidate,” to sign unrestricted free agent Greg Monroe. The 25-year-old is coming off of a season during which he gambled on himself on a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons.

Whether or not Monroe signs with the Knicks, there’s a very good chance that he opts for another short-term contract.

According to Darrell Williams of The Advocate, Monroe could opt for a two-year deal that would enable him to sign a more lucrative contract under the new CBA and rising salary cap.

"“(He and agent David Falk) are definitely looking at all our options,” he said. “You can see the trend is everybody’s taking shorter deals right now. So, most likely, I might take that route, too, and when the new deal kicks in, get a longer-term contract.“I’m looking at a two-year deal plus an option” to become a free agent."

Here we go again.

For what it’s worth, Monroe did sign a one-year deal coming out of restricted free agency for the 2014-15 season. Gambling on himself has worked out before.

Signing a two-year deal with an option would at least give Monroe some measure of job security.

The salary cap is expected to rise dramatically, surpassing $90 million in 2016-17. Thus, it stands to reason that a 25-year-old would prefer to be an unrestricted free agent around the age of 27.

By that time, the salary cap could hit $100 million.

Monroe is as prepared to face the pressure of a short-term contract as any high-profile player in the NBA. After all, that’s what he did coming off of his rookie deal.

Rather than remaining with the Detroit Pistons for the long-term, he signed a one-year deal for 2014-15. That’s an unprecedented move that bucked the trend of restricted free agents remaining with their former teams for the long-term.

During the 2014-15 season, Monroe averaged 15.9 points, a career-high 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals in a relatively low 31.0 minutes per game. It’s safe to say he passed the test.

Per Williams, Monroe’s expects to sign with a contender upon completing his pursuit for a bigger role.

"Five teams have shown serious interest — the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Monroe said he’ll meet with those teams this week.“I’m looking to be with a team that’s ready to win,” said Monroe during a timeout at his youth basketball clinic Saturday morning at the Delgado Community College gymnasium. “Hopefully it will be a team where I’m the missing piece.”"

For the Knicks, he could be that missing piece.

Monroe is very limited outside the paint, but he’s an excellent post player who excels on the low block. He could be the anchor for the Triangle Offense, collapsing defenses and giving Carmelo Anthony space to shoot.

If nothing else, Monroe would be a nice two-year experiment.

Next: The Knicks will meet with DeAndre Jordan

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