Pistons Trade Talk: Greg Monroe Edition 2.0
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Monroe once again finds himself as the topic of discussion in this edition of Pistons Trade Talk, after Alex Kennedy posted an article tonight on Basketball Insiders which, among other things, said that Monroe will be targeted by the Washington Wizards. Kennedy’s post mentions Monroe as a target of the Wizards either in Restricted Free Agency this summer, or even before this year’s February 20th trade deadline. Monroe would make for a very talented young trio in D.C., playing alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal. With the Pistons’ huge frontcourt experiment looking more like a failure with every passing game, it’s time to at least consider breaking up the big trio. Let’s take another look at what the Pistons could get back in a Monroe trade, this time focusing on the Wizards.
*ESPN Trade Machine used to salary-check suggested trades.
DET receives: SF Trevor Ariza, PF Trevor Booker, SF Otto Porter, SG Glen Rice Jr., 2014 2nd Rd Pick
WAS receives: F/C Greg Monroe. PF Charlie Villanueva
Washington gets what they want in Monroe, and takes on Charlie Villanueva’s salary to make the deal work. Because the Wizards cannot trade their first round pick this year (owed to Phoenix) or next year (must own a 1st rd pick once every two years), Otto Porter is added in. Porter is a bit of an unknown to this point due to a lack of playing time at the NBA level. Porter missed the first 17 games of the season with an injured hip and has only played an average of 10 minutes in the 18 games that he’s seen action. However, he’s only 20 and possesses the physical tools to make an impact from the SF position in the future. Ariza provides an instant upgrade at the SF position on both ends of the floor. He has a reputation as a lockdown defender (1.9 SPG, 103 DRtg in ’13-’14) and is shooting 39% from three this season. Ariza is exactly the kind of player the Pistons need at SF with Drummond and Smith in the frontcourt. Glen Rice Jr. provides depth at SG and is a nice developmental option with good upside for a guy who got drafted in the 2nd round. Trevor Booker becomes the Pistons’ first big man off the bench and is a serviceable rounder and scorer. I think the Pistons win this deal in the short run, with the Wizards coming out ahead in the long run.
DET receives: SG Bradley Beal, SF Martell Webster, PF Trevor Booker, PF Al Harrington
WAS receives: F/C Greg Monroe, SG Rodney Stuckey, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2014 2nd Rd Pick
This deal probably doesn’t happen, but it would be interesting to see if Dumars could steal Beal away from Washington. This time Washington gets two SGs to fill the hole left in their backcourt. Stuckey fills their offensive needs and KCP serves as a building block for the future to play lockdown defense with Wall. From the Pistons’ perspective, Beal holds down the SG spot for the next four years. He’s shooting 43.3% from three this season but has seen a decrease in his scoring efficiency (52% TS% as a rookie, 50% this season) due to a reduction in free throw rate and 2-point shooting efficiency. He could probably benefit from driving a bit more, but the Pistons wouldn’t complain about a 43% three-point shooter in any regard. Webster becomes the starting SF as Smith slides up to PF, and he too provides good three-point shooting, connecting at a 42% rate this season. He too is a good defender and would be a welcome addition to the lineup. Booker again becomes the backup big, and Al Harrington would hopefully never see any minutes. This trade definitely favors the Pistons and might require the 2nd round pick to become a future 1st round pick.
DET receives: PG Rajon Rondo, SF Trevor Ariza, SG Bradley Beal, PF Brandon Bass, 2014 2nd Rd pick from Washington
WAS receives: F/C Greg Monroe, F Jeff Green, SG Rodney Stuckey, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 2016 1st Rd pick from Detroit (Top-18 protected)
BOS receives: PG Brandon Jennings, SF Otto Porter Jr., PF Charlie Villanueva, F Jan Vesely, 2018 1st Rd Pick from Detroit (Top-12 protected)
Let’s take a step back from this one and look at it team-by-team. Every team in this deal reaches its goals in one way or another. The Wizards get the young star they want to pair with John Wall, a replacement starting SF, an offense-defense rotation for their backcourt and a future first round pick. They gave up a solid young SG, a good starting SF and two forwards who don’t currently do much. Boston unloads Brandon Bass’ overpriced contract (2y, $6.5M per year), gets a solid PG in Brandon Jennings, a decent project SF in Otto Porter, $11M in expiring contracts and a future 1st round pick. They also are better prepared to tank this season. Boston gives up the best player in the deal inRajon Rondo as well as Jeff Green and Brandon Bass. Detroit unloads a whopping six players in the deal, as well as two first round picks over the next five drafts. However, they have a star PG, a potential All-Star SG, a three-and-D SF who fits perfectly in their new lineup and added depth in the frontcourt. It’s hard to argue that the Pistons’ new rotation isn’t much better than their old rotation:
PG: Rajon Rondo, Will Bynum, Peyton Siva
SG: Bradley Beal, Kyle Singler, Chauncey Billups
SF: Trevor Ariza, Kyle Singler, Luigi Datome
PF: Josh Smith, Brandon Bass, Jonas Jerebko Tony Mitchell
C: Andre Drummond, Josh Harrellson, Brandon Bass
I’d like to see an argument against that lineup not being at least the 4th best team in the Eastern Conference this season. The deal also provides future financial flexibility to re-sign Andre Drummond, as Ariza and Bass will come off the books before it’s time to pay Andre.
Would Washington even consider moving Bradley Beal? Do you think Rajon Rondo would sign long-term in Detroit? Should Detroit deal Monroe outside of the Eastern Conference? Discuss the deals in the comment section.