Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote:Add Ricky Rubio for Greg Monroe as another trade I would do, though I'm not sure what Milwaukee would think about that. I do think Monroe's very available, though.

I think Milwaukee would jump all over that deal. Not sure I like it.

Seems like a good deal for both sides, in my opinion. Monroe is quite a handful in the paint. They're not really using him and haven't seemed like a good fit for him since he signed there. We currently lack thickness at damn near every position. Monroe isn't going to be anything like a game-changer for us defensively, but nobody in this league is going to bully him physically. I'll tell you that with confidence. Only two years left on his deal compared to Rubio's three also.

I'm just thinking Monroe could be had for less than Ricky.

I doubt it, personally. Also, we wouldn't be moving any one of Towns, LaVine, Wiggins, or Dieng to make this particular trade happen. And I don't think Thibs would part with Dunn unless it's to get a premium player. That leaves Rubio and Muhammad as trade chips. Only one of those two have value and a sizable contract to match.

Of course you're not going to include the names you mention. But Milwaukee would be glad to get rid of Monroe and his contract. I don't know what we have they might want, but you wouldn't have to give up an asset like Rubio for him.

Rubio is struggling in Minnesota and appears to be on the outside looking in. Monroe is on the outside looking in for Milwaukee. And they make roughly the same for salary.

- Monroe can still play, even if he's limited a bit offensively and has been inconsistent defensively. But what does it mean for Minnesota? Does he help KAT? Marginalize Dieng... who the Wolves just shelled out $64M to resign?
- What does Rubio mean for Milwaukee? Is he a huge step up from Delladova? Remember, they have Giannis as a sort of hybrid PG/SG/SF/PF guy. I know Milwaukee hasn't been able to move Monroe... is it because they want more back than a Rubio type?

Monroe is a guy I was thinking about yesterday. Why? Give me a minute to make my point.

We have been talking about whether Towns should be playing center or PF. I've been starting to look at the possible bigs that could be really good around the league. You have a bunch of lengthy long relatively athletic guys with 3 point range can move well etc. are thouse guys going to play center? well the bottom line is who is going to guard those guys? the MOST likely scenario is Towns is going to guard those guys regardless of what position he plays or they play. Maybe he doesn't play them the whole game, btu when it matters he is probaly going to be the guy. Dieng probably won't be able to guard those guys on the periemter. it would be neat if Belly could and its possible he will but I wouldnt' plan for that. THe Wolves could also add another guy to the roster at some point that could guard those players Porzingis AD the list could get quite lengthy in the next 2 years and I am not going to start listing all the guys for fear of leaving someoen out and get ripped for it. =)

Ok so where does that leave a guy like Monroe? I know Cam has said good things about Monroe so I'd be interested to hear more of his take on him. To me I see Monroe as a guy that won't be ale to keep up with this new breed of bigs. He isn't a rim protector either. He sort of reminds me of Al Jefferson in that he is a good basketball player (different skillsets obviously) but has flaws, but totally worthwhile to have on your team. Maybe the best thing is to have both guys as a 6th man types. It feels like if Monroe was playing in a different era he would have quite a bit more value than he currently does.

As for his availability this article makes it sound like he is doing all the right things and his defensive metrics have been pretty good.

http://thecomeback.com/nba/bucks-greg-monroe-remains-positive-despite-current-bench-role-in-milwaukee.html

He also has a player option for next season at just under $18 million. So acquiring him could end up being a tryout or just cap space. I've always been a fan of Monroe he has a nice skillset and as Cam has mentioned a few times he is a better defender than he is given credit for. To me acquiring him for Rubio you have to have some idea in mind of what contract you would be willing to give him and if he would have any interest in staying on for that type of money. I could see him as a fit as a strong dude that is a good rebounder and seems like a pretty good passer.

The problem is that the Bucks suddenly seem to have a healthy bunch of perimeter players even without Middleton around. Is there room for Rubio on that team? idk I don't follow that team closely enough to know.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Rubio is struggling in Minnesota and appears to be on the outside looking in. Monroe is on the outside looking in for Milwaukee. And they make roughly the same for salary.

- Monroe can still play, even if he's limited a bit offensively and has been inconsistent defensively. But what does it mean for Minnesota? Does he help KAT? Marginalize Dieng... who the Wolves just shelled out $64M to resign?
- What does Rubio mean for Milwaukee? Is he a huge step up from Delladova? Remember, they have Giannis as a sort of hybrid PG/SG/SF/PF guy. I know Milwaukee hasn't been able to move Monroe... is it because they want more back than a Rubio type?

My understanding is they are having trouble moving Monroe because no one will give up anything of substance to take on that contract. Monroe has been a huge disappointment in Milwaukee. They regretted signing him the first year they got him. In my opinion, Ricky though he's struggling, is a much better asset than Monroe.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Rubio is struggling in Minnesota and appears to be on the outside looking in. Monroe is on the outside looking in for Milwaukee. And they make roughly the same for salary.

- Monroe can still play, even if he's limited a bit offensively and has been inconsistent defensively. But what does it mean for Minnesota? Does he help KAT? Marginalize Dieng... who the Wolves just shelled out $64M to resign?
- What does Rubio mean for Milwaukee? Is he a huge step up from Delladova? Remember, they have Giannis as a sort of hybrid PG/SG/SF/PF guy. I know Milwaukee hasn't been able to move Monroe... is it because they want more back than a Rubio type?

My understanding is they are having trouble moving Monroe because no one will give up anything of substance to take on that contract. Monroe has been a huge disappointment in Milwaukee. They regretted signing him the first year they got him. In my opinion, Ricky though he's struggling, is a much better asset than Monroe.

Monroe has a player option for next year so the Bucks don't Have to deal him to get rid of that contract they can just hope he walks away. On the other side who wants to give up much for what might be a rental although obviously it could mean a better chance of resigning him but a team could get caught in limbo wondering what he is going to do. I could see Rubio having more value when there are some team like Philly and Sacramento with no long term plan at PG right now and probably would like to get a vet guy instead of picking a rookie in the draft and hoping it works out. Both teams seem to me like they could use another wing player too so they could target that in the draft if they had a legit PG.

Cam (and anyone else) who would you rather have Monroe or Noel for Rubio? Which guy makes more money on their next contract?

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Rubio is struggling in Minnesota and appears to be on the outside looking in. Monroe is on the outside looking in for Milwaukee. And they make roughly the same for salary.

- Monroe can still play, even if he's limited a bit offensively and has been inconsistent defensively. But what does it mean for Minnesota? Does he help KAT? Marginalize Dieng... who the Wolves just shelled out $64M to resign?
- What does Rubio mean for Milwaukee? Is he a huge step up from Delladova? Remember, they have Giannis as a sort of hybrid PG/SG/SF/PF guy. I know Milwaukee hasn't been able to move Monroe... is it because they want more back than a Rubio type?

Ideally, adding Monroe pushes Dieng to the bench, even though some on this board would hate it. That's not to say that Dieng would be limited to under 20 minutes, though. I'd just give him the majority of Aldrich's minutes and all of Muhammad's. Bjelica would get a chance to play more small forward, obviously.

Look, aside from a healthy Nikola Pekovic, Monroe's game is as "meat and potatoes" as it gets right now. He wants to live in that 10-foot and in range. He wants to put his body on defenders. He's got sneaky quickness when he faces up. He's a capable facilitator and shooter to about 18-feet, but he doesn't fall in love with that shot. He's a relatively efficient scorer. He's always been a presence for opposing bigs to worry about in the paint and on the glass. And while he's nothing to get too excited about defensively, there are things he does well in that regard -- namely his effort, his ability to get steals and clean the defensive glass to end possessions. For us, specifically, I think he'd help because he can't be pushed around. How many times have we seen guys just physically move Towns or Dieng when they wanted to? Different ball game when there's a 265-pound moose planted in the paint.

Id rather trade Ricky for an expiring than take on Monroe. We would have his 12 plus Pek's to acquire something better than Monroe.

monsterpile wrote:Cam (and anyone else) who would you rather have Monroe or Noel for Rubio? Which guy makes more money on their next contract?

Sheesh, good question, monster. Both have their pros and cons. I'd be excited to have either one of them.

To answer your latter question, Noel is going to get near mini-max from somebody. I feel like his defensive upside is well-known around the league. I do think Thibodeau and him would be a great match.

I think Monroe's next deal will be looked at by many as good team value or even a steal -- think Pau Gasol's three-year, $22M deal in 2014 in Chicago or Al Jefferson's three-year, $30M deal in Indiana this past summer. Perhaps Monroe could command a million or two more per year than what Jefferson got simply because he's still just 26-years old. Still a good deal.

I think Monroe's a good veteran teammate, good professional, he's been durable (mentally and physically), and he seems like the kind of personality that doesn't mind playing for a franchise that isn't rainbows and unicorns all the time. I think his intangibles would be nice to have here.

Sign me up. I would also trade Dieng for Monroe, but would rather move Rubio.