Greg Monroe will 'absolutely' consider re-signing with Pistons
Greg Monroe turned down a long-term contract with the Detroit Pistons in the offseason, but that doesn't mean the 24-year-old will do so again when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Detroit Pistons' big man reportedly opted against signing a four-year deal worth roughly $14 million annually, instead choosing to ink a one-year pact a season before he became eligible to sign with any team.
Monroe will absolutely consider re-upping with the Pistons on a lucrative, multi-year contract, his agent David Falk told MLive.com's David Mayo. And working in Detroit's favor is that the organization can offer Monroe an extra year and more money than any other team. A good relationship with Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy could help, too.
"I think Stan has said some very positive things about Greg publicly, I think Greg has said some very positive things about Stan publicly, and Stan's a great coach," Falk said.
But the 6-foot-11 southpaw, in his fifth season, may hold off entirely on signing long-term in favor of a shorter deal, as the NBA's salary cap is set to rise dramatically in the coming seasons.
A higher cap will put more money in the pockets of players.
"If the cap is at ($68 million) this year (2015-16 season), and the following year it goes to ($90 million), you're going to have to decide how to plan for it," Falk explained. "You have to determine how you want to plan your career management based on where the cap is, and we're going to do that."
Detroit won't be the only organization after Monroe. The New York Knicks are at least one team expected to pursue the No. 7 overall pick in the 2010 draft, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Monroe has been a big presence for the playoff-hopeful Pistons, who enter Monday two games back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Detroit turned its season around after cutting ties with enigmatic forward Josh Smith in December, and created an opportunity for Monroe to hop back into the starting lineup alongside third-year center Andre Drummond.
The Pistons have gone 18-13 since waiving Smith, following a 5-23 start. Monroe, a double-double machine, has started all 31 contests in Smith's absence, averaging 16.6 points on 50.3 percent shooting, while hauling in 11.9 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game.