Pistons making Greg Monroe top priority, but not at max money

The Detroit Pistons continue to maintain that re-signing restricted free agent Greg Monroe is a top priority as the team enters its first offseason under new president Stan Van Gundy.

Van Gundy surprised some when he took over the job by suggesting he likes the current mix of Pistons forwards. The surprise stemmed not from the perception that Monroe isn't a talented player, but from the notion, borne out by both statistics and the eye test, that Monroe, Andre Drummond and Josh Smith are not complementary pieces. Van Gundy the coach likes to spread the floor a bit more than that trio allows, but Van Gundy the president clearly sees value.

He just doesn't see Monroe as a maximum contract guy, apparently.

Asked if he'll be knocking on Monroe's door at the stroke of midnight on July 1, Van Gundy intimated that while Monroe is a key focus, he's not necessarily going to get the royal treatment.

"I think you normally see those things with max level guys. I think it’s unlikely we’ll do that," Van Gundy said Thursday.

"He’s a very high priority for us," he later added. "We have ideas on who might offer him what. Our strategy is if Greg gets a max offer, what are we gonna do? There’s only three things we can do. He can sign a qualifying offer, sign him (to a long term deal) or do a sign-and-trade."

The idea of a sign-and-trade has been kicked around by analysts, with the New Orleans Pelicans seeming a strong fit. The top salary a team could offer Monroe is one starting at 25 percent of the salary cap, an estimated $15.8 million base salary for 2014-15.

Meanwhile, Monroe's agent told Detroit News that he expects similar financial offers from as many as 10 teams, but that the focus will be more on opportunity and a chance to win.

The 24-year-old Monroe averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds this past season and has carved out a reputation as a deft post passer. He's also proven incredibly resilient, missing just three games in his four-year career.