FanPost

The Greg Monroe Long Game

So here is my ongoing Offseason Big Man Conspiracy. At the beginning of Free Agency we were rumored to be in discussions with Greg Monroe, since we don't have the cap space to sign him (and still likely lose him back to DET ala Hibbert) there was discussion that we would need to build a trade either centered around RoLo or Batum. But with a potent Starting 5 there is a significant concern that swapping out one starter for another might not really be a big gain in the talent / performance department. I think that almost all analysts across the NBA would say that the Blazers don't need more out of there Starting 5, but rather now need a 6, 7 and 8 that are above League average or less.

The Blazers fallback was to sign Blake for 2 years and Kamen for 1 plus a team optioned 2nd. While somewhat disappointing, they make good fill-in measures that are likely to boost our bench performance this year while we wait for the Mystical Cap Space next summer. But something keeps nagging at me about Kamen... the idea that keeps coming back to me is the CKEC (Chris Kamen's Expiring Contract, think the RLEC).

Greg Monroe has not yet re-signed in DET and the more time passes, I am surprised that there aren't more rumblings about someone, anyone trying to create a poison pill scenario to either sign Gregg Monroe at too high a price, or force DET to trade him in a way that at least returns them some value for a well respected young asset. Word recently is that Monroe is very likely to sign the QO rather than resign a multi-year with DET this offseason.

Monroe's Qualifying Offer is in the mid -5million range, very similar to the Kamen deal. If Monroe does sign a QO he has veto over any trade situation, thus DET will be limited in their options for finding him a home that gets them assets before he is free next summer to simply walk away. The Blazers meanwhile will be able to trade the CKEC as soon as the season progresses far enough, or alternatively next offseason as part of a sign and trade for Monroe, or as the base of any number of different trades.

I think it likely that the Monroe camp's resistance to signing a new DET contract, along with the very quiet market for Monroe, may indicate a decision by he and the Blazers to orchestrate a situation that would not just get him paid but also get him to a spot where both parties want him to be, in a Blazers uniform and the 3rd Big with Aldridge and Rolo. DET may not like it, but If Monroe were to hold fast on No Trades except Portland offering CKEC and the 2015 First Round pick..... I for one will be excited but not surprised to see Monroe in a Blazers jersey come Playoff time.