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Free Agency: Greg Monroe a smart move for the New York Knicks?

By John Azzato

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Greg Monroe #55 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 23, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Greg Monroe #55 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the national anthem prior to the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 23, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Greg Monroe has been a solid big man in the NBA for a number of years. Could he fill a void for the 2018-19 New York Knicks team?

Greg Monroe is a player who has played multiple roles throughout his NBA career. With the injury to Kristaps Porzingis, one can’t help but wonder: Would it be a smart move for the New York Knicks to bring in a skilled veteran big man like Monroe?

Monroe, who just a few years ago was linked to the Knicks in free agency, is a skilled big man. Now on the Boston Celtics in a backup role, he may be the perfect option to bring to the team in free agency as added insurance for Porzingis.

Size and Skill

At 6’11” and 265 pounds, Monroe can play both the center and power forward positions. Still young, only 27 years old, he still has plenty to offer on the court. Even though he has the size of a possible center, Monroe seems to fit more comfortably in the power forward position.

Not an overly athletic player, he’s more of a post up big, while also having an improved mid range game.

Monroe was able to succeed for many years in Detroit and Milwaukee. He was the face of the franchise for the Pistons before moving on to the Bucks in free agency. From the 2011-12 season to the 2016-17 campaign, he averaged double figures in points per game.

Despite receiving fluctuating playing time, he never averaged under 6.0 rebounds per game. His most successful season was his 2014-15 run, averaging a double-double that included 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Versatile Role

Why is this important?

We all hope that Kristaps Porzingis will come back from this injury better than ever, and is healthy from the point he comes back to the end of his career. However, he will most likely not be ready for the start of next season.

Enter Monroe as the starting power forward. Assuming Kanter either opts in to his player option, or the Knicks sign him to an extension, Monroe and Kanter start the year as the Knicks’ big man tandem.

Porzingis will be back after rehabbing his injury, so what happens then?

Monroe then moves back into a bench role, while the franchise player makes his epic return to the starting lineup. This plan works out well, because Greg Monroe is talented enough to not be a liability.

This gives the Knicks the ability to ease Porzingis back into live play, while still getting solid production from the power forward spot.

Bringing Monroe to the Knicks is likely to work out for both sides. Monroe gets a more featured role than he’s currently in, while the Knicks get added insurance at the power forward and center positions.

Everyone is happy, especially if the cost is affordable.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Draft: Top 10 prospects as of March 1

Let’s see if the New York Knicks can make it happen in free agency.