According to a source that Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News says is requesting anonymity — Greg Monroe is “definitely” willing to accept the one-year qualifying offer that is on the table.
"The Greg Monroe watch is entering its seventh week, with another seven weeks remaining before there’s a guarantee his restricted free agency will be resolved, one way or another.While the Pistons big man has not pursued an offer sheet from another team, he has pursued sign-and-trade possibilities, and Monroe is “definitely” willing to take the one-year qualifying offer worth $5.3 million from Detroit in order to ensure his unrestricted free agency next summer, a source familiar with Monroe’s thinking told The Detroit News.The source requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the contract talks. Monroe has until Oct. 1 to agree to a deal or sign the qualifying offer.Part of Monroe’s thinking could be the Pistons’ likely stance of matching any contract offer, even if the max is well above their reported offer of four years and $50-plus million, similar to the deal Josh Smith signed last summer. Through his Twitter account, Monroe has disputed being offered a deal with that framework, or the five years/$60 million that has been reported by other outlets."
Of course the qualifying offer has always been in play. If at any time Monroe feels that he could be more valued in the unrestricted market next season, there is no reason why he wouldn’t consider taking the offer.
"As Pro Basketball Talk’s Kurt Helin points out, the main reason Greg Monroe’s camp would leak out this information at this time is to gain some type of leverage in contact negotiations."
"Monroe isn’t going to sign that right now, he’s not going to sign it until training camp is starting. That gives him about seven weeks.The reason to leak right now that you would take the qualifying offer is to gain leverage on the Pistons and get them to offer more or to accept a more reasonable offer for a sign-and-trade. Basically Monroe is saying, “you can do better now or you can lose me for nothing next summer.”"
If both teams can’t come to some type of agreement, a qualifying offer might not be the worst thing for the Pistons organization. Monroe’s current cap hold of $10.2 million would open up five million in cap space. Plus, the Pistons would be able to trade their interior player before the deadline if things go south under first year head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Monroe would have veto power over any move, but might be willing to jump to a different team that is playoff bound.
It also makes sense why Greg Monroe would question whether Detroit can be a perennial playoff team. It might seem easy to buy into Stan Van Gundy and new management, but when you haven’t even come close to the playoffs in the four years you’ve been in the organization — it might leave your mind thinking that it’s time for a new start.
Monroe has until October 1st to decide whether he wants to accept or decline the $5.3 million qualifying offer.