Greg Monroe is still with the Milwaukee Bucks, but his tenure with the team may not last long.
Monroe's awkward fit to the Bucks' system made him a notable name in the trade market during the offseason. The Bucks, however, decided to start the season keeping Monroe, although putting the 26-year-old center on a new role in the second unit.
From playing 29.3 minutes a game last season, Monroe is now only averaging 17.6 minutes coming off the bench, while posting career-low averages of 8.4 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. He also earned a "DNP-Coach's decision" during the Bucks' loss to the Miami Heat last week, making him a potential nightly candidate to sit the rest of the game on the bench.
"We talked today about just trying to get two centers. You know, I'm trying to play all three and I think it has an effect on them of short minutes or whatever it may be. So, me and Greg talked today that I was going with the other two centers," Bucks head coach Jason Kidd said after the team's 96-73 loss to the Heat.
"We're going to play two centers. Talking to those guys, I want the best for all three, but they feel like they just can't get into a rhythm. They get a little frustrated with the short amount of time, so we looked at something different tonight."
Kidd's recent comments isn't too reassuring to the Bucks keeping Monroe long-term, which could certainly open up trade possibilities for the big man. While Monroe's outputs may not have any huge impact on the Bucks' winning games, his limited playing time could hurt the center's trade value in the market, according to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report.
"Before Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd made Greg Monroe a nightly "did not play" candidate, the big man was brutalizing rival second units and providing surprisingly good rim protection," Favale wrote.
"Entering the DNP pool, however, doesn't do anything for Monroe's value. Besides, $17.1 million for a version of him that plays defense is still probably too expensive."
Monroe's offensive skills inside the paint would certainly be a boost to contending teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets, but his lack of versatility on the defensive end could make it difficult for the Bucks to find a suitable trade partner.
It would be wise for the Bucks to trade Monroe now before his limited minutes accounted for his poor numbers continue to lessen his trade value. A deal prior to the February deadline should give Milwaukee more fitting pieces that could address the team's need.
It is unclear whether the Bucks would trade Monroe, but the team should capitalize while he could still entice teams to call Milwaukee for his services.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins