The Boston Celtics could be in play to trade for Greg Monroe if the team fails to pursue main targets Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook.
The Celtics have never shied out of their intention to improve the team's roster for the next season, which could very well mean finding valuable players in the trade market. But while the likes of Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook have already been linked to Boston in the past few weeks, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe claimed "there is no big deal right now" regarding any potential blockbuster deal.
However, that does not mean the Celtics would shy away from looking at possible trade targets, with the team still in pursuit of completing a lineup that could transform the franchise into legit contenders. Griffin and Westbrook may not be off the hook, but the LA Clippers and OKC Thunder seem to likely keep their respective stars.
According to Adam McGee of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, Greg Monroe should be an alternative for the Celtics if they miss out trading for Griffin or Westbrook.
"With Al Horford versatile and well-rounded enough to be able to play either of the power forward or center spots on both ends of the floor, don't rule a Monroe deal out of the question if Boston can't pull off one of their more immediate preferences," McGee wrote.
In McGee's trade scenario, the Celtics would send Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko to Milwaukee for Monroe, who has been on the trading block, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
"A package comprising of Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko would certainly provide Milwaukee with much better fits than Monroe, and could act as a nice makeweight deal for the Celtics until something better comes around in free agency next summer," McGee wrote.
Monroe should fit in nicely under Brad Stevens' system and would help bring another scoring threat inside the paint. Bringing the 26-year-old center would slide Al Horford to his natural position at the four spot, where he plays effectively using his midrange game.
Monroe's defense would surely be a major concern, but if the Celtics could bring another big man who could cover up his ineffectiveness on the defensive end, there is no doubt adding Monroe would help improve Boston's frontcourt.