Greg Monroe signing proves Milwaukee is a viable free-agent destination

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The name Bobby Simmons doesn't inspire much confidence, yet he was probably the last noteworthy free agent the Milwaukee Bucks were able to lure away after he won NBA Most Improved Player in 2004-05.

Since then, it's been a who's who of who cares walking through the doors of the Bucks organization via free agency. Whether it was the team's lack of success, the Wisconsin market, or a combination of the two, high-profile talent wasn't inclined to sign on the dotted line.

Then Greg Monroe happened.

Monroe, despite zero All-Star appearances, is one of the NBA's rising frontcourt stars, having averaged a double-double of 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds on 49.6 percent shooting last season with the Detroit Pistons.

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks made pitches for the 25-year-old with similar offers (three years, $50 million) this summer, yet Monroe elected to steer away from the bright lights of Hollywood and history of Madison Square Garden to join a squad with major postseason aspirations - something the Lakers and Knicks simply couldn't provide.

“He’s never played a single game in the playoffs," Monroe's agent David Falk said to the New York Post's Marc Berman shortly after his client signed. "At this point of his career, he wanted to be with a team that will be in the playoffs immediately. That’s what’s important to him now. In three years, maybe it’s different."

The Bucks improved by a staggering 26 victories last season, finishing at 41-41 and as the Eastern Conference's No. 6 playoff seed - a remarkable run for a roster featuring a core of players all in their early to mid-twenties. Monroe took notice of that progress, and felt like he could put them over the top with his presence in the paint.

Milwaukee - the city - isn't considered on the same level as Los Angeles or New York, but that never bothered Monroe, who valued winning over everything else when making his final decision.

"I'm not a real estate agent; I'm a basketball player," Monroe said to the Journal Sentinel's Charles Gardner. "Obviously the cities are different. I believe I can enjoy myself in any city. Have you seen me on any commercials before? I don't think that will be happening any time soon."

Management's commitment to youth has paid off big time, with head coach Jason Kidd's projected starting five all under 25. It has to be enough to get a few more eyes looking their way in the free-agency, as the Bucks have put themselves in a position where they can realistically be a top-4 team in the East for the foreseeable future. It would be foolish to overlook that.

(2014-15 Statistics)

"The Bucks have started to build something special," Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher said during a July appearance on Sports Central.

"If you build a great culture, a winning culture, guys realize 'I'm going to spend the majority of my time either in the building or traveling with this team ... that's what should matter to me the most.'"

The only thing that could catapult the Bucks over the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers for sports superiority in the local area would be a trip to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately for them, as long as LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are flexing their muscles atop the standings, it will be extremely difficult for anyone else to come within an eyelash of that perch.

Then again, in another year or two - if the Bucks continue to develop - perhaps they'll be the only legitimate threat to knock Cleveland off its pedestal.

So feel free to come to Milwaukee, where a new arena is on the way, the talent is plentiful, and optimism has never been higher.

Monroe's signing helped put the Bucks back on the map. Continuing to win will help keep them there. Who else will follow his lead?