Stan Van Gundy 99.9% sure 'Greg Monroe's not going anywhere'

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Greg Monroe's status as an impending unrestricted free agent would seem to make him a potential trade candidate for the Detroit Pistons, who could see Monroe walk without any compensation come July.

But Stan Van Gundy, the team's president of basketball operations and head coach, isn't looking to move the big man. 

"It's not gonna happen," Van Gundy said about trading Monroe before Thursday's deadline, according to The Detroit News' Bob Wojnowski. "I don't know where Greg's head will be in the offseason, but we're still hopeful of Greg Monroe for the long term."

What's more, the same forces that might make a trade seem palatable for the Pistons - Monroe's free agency - gives interested teams less of an incentive to make a deal.

"With him going into free agency, you won't get a lot, maybe a pick," Van Gundy added. "I'm not gonna walk in that locker room and give up a piece like that and then tell the guys we're trying to make the playoffs. They deserve the chance to ride this out. You never say never to anything, but I can tell you about 99.9 percent, Greg Monroe's not going anywhere."

A pick is better than nothing, which is what the Pistons would receive if Monroe leaves as a UFA this summer. But if Van Gundy believes the Pistons have a legitimate chance of re-signing the 24-year-old, a draft choice isn't going to suffice.

In addition, the Pistons likely value ending a six-year postseason drought and the potential revenue from two home playoff games over a pick or two.

Monroe, who made the surprising decision to take a one-year qualifying offer as a restricted free agent last summer in order to expedite his unrestricted free agency, is averaging 15.4 points and a career-high 10.4 rebounds in his fifth season with the Pistons.

Detroit enters the All-Star break two games behind the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.