Greg Monroe (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are not expected to make a big splash in the trading season, but an available star like Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe could chance LA's plans.
The Bucks have surprisingly made Monroe available this season after signing him to a three-year $50 million deal last summer.
According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal-Times, an NBA executive has revealed the Bucks are "willing to trade anybody not named [Jabari] Parker, [Giannis] Antetokounmpo, and [Khris] Middleton
"I even heard they'd listen (to offers) for Parker and Middleton, but it would have to be some crazy offer," the NBA executive added.
"They want to do something; they know they have to do something. That group they have isn't working.''
Monroe has been a double-double machine in Milwaukee, having posted 26 this season, while averaging 16.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. However, Monroe's defense remains a liability, especially protecting the rim and pick-and-roll.
If the Bucks wish to get a defensive big man by trading away Monroe, they could explore dealing for Lakers center Roy Hibbert.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported last month that LA is trying to find Hibbert a playoff team. While the Bucks is not exactly a strong postseason contender, the towering 7-footer could be a great fit in Milwaukee.
In Hoops Habit writer Gerald Bourguet's trade scenario, the Lakers could send Hibbert and Larry Nance Jr to the Bucks for Monroe.
Hibbert would offer the Bucks rim protection while Nance also gives them an upcoming youngster who could also defend well.
Meanwhile, Monroe could be the next great Laker big man that the franchise has been longing for ever since letting Pau Gasol walk away to the Chicago Bulls. Moreover, by getting Monroe to Tinsel town, the Lakers may be a more top free agents in the market in July.
"He'd take pressure off Russell and Randle to produce, he wouldn't have to worry about playing defense as the Lakers scramble to make other moves to accelerate the youth movement, and the front office could temporarily rest easy thinking they had satisfied their fans by finally landing a big name," Bourguet noted.
This could be an enticing package for the Lakers and a good move to kick start their rebuild in the post-Kobe Bryant era.
As for the Bucks, they could experiment whether Hibbert would be a long-term investment. If Hibbert do not fit the mold, his expiring contract gives the Bucks a chance to look for another big man in July.
