Report: Suns hoping to flip Monroe

The Phoenix Suns don't expect Greg Monroe to be with the team for long.

After acquiring him from the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday in a deal for Eric Bledsoe, the Suns hope to find another trade partner for the 27-year-old big man, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

If they can't find a trade, the Suns will likely buy out the remainder of Monroe's expiring $17.8-million contract, according to Wojnarowski.

Monroe was used as salary filler in a trade that also netted the Suns a protected first-round pick. He plainly isn't a part of the rebuilding young team's plans for this year, and they believe he has trade value. There aren't many teams with the cap space to absorb his salary, but the Suns would likely be willing to take a matching salary back in return if it meant picking up another draft pick in the bargain.

Monroe had an excellent season for the Bucks last year, averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals on his way to finishing sixth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. But his minutes are way down this season, as the Bucks have tried to carve out a larger role for second-year big man Thon Maker. Monroe is averaging 6.8 points and five rebounds in 15.8 minutes off the bench through five games.