Greg Monroe: Pistons ‘have the upper hand’

Greg Monroe on the Pistons, via Terry Foster of The Detroit News:

"“I have ties here; I have been here my whole (adult) life,” Monroe said. “They drafted me, so of course I am going to listen to them with the same ear as I listen to everybody else. They have the upper hand.”"

The Pistons’ upper hand is the ability to offer a fifth season and higher raises, but that might not matter. Even if it does, it probably won’t be enough.

Sure, this is much stronger language than Monroe saying he could see himself staying with the Pistons, but actions speak louder than words. So far, the loudest action was Monroe accepting the qualifying offer before the deadline to do so. He had more interest in becoming an unrestricted free agent than re-upping long term – at any price.

The only other advantage the Pistons might have is familiarity, but that could be more likely to hurt than help.