Greg Monroe (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors will feature teams that with failed expectations and questionable signings during the offseason.
Two teams that embody that statement are the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pelicans were expected to soar with Anthony Davis who was close to being anointed as the best player in the NBA by some sports scribes. The Bucks were the breakthrough team last year and were predicted to get a boost from their big free agent signee, Greg Monroe.
Now both teams may not make the playoffs, and it is rumored that they might find a solution among themselves. Zach Lowe of ESPN confirmed that there were indeed discussions about Greg Monroe.
"The Pelicans still like the idea of surrounding Anthony Davis with a bruiser; they've gone back and forth with the Bucks about Greg Monroe, sources say," Lowe wrote. "New Orleans' roster is pretty bare going forward, and the team might feel pressure to salvage something from this disastrous, injury-riddled season."
The Pelicans need stars or at least scoring options to place alongside the Unibrow. Because of his physical skills, the Pelicans can thrive with Monroe and Davis together and Davis could make up for Monroe's publicized defensive shortcomings.
Monroe would be a much better fit for Davis than the center that the Pelicans actually signed, Omer Asik. Asik is offensively challenged, and with the team bereft of perimeter scorers as well (although injuries were partly to blame), Davis was often left with a heavy load to carry.
The next concern is how the trade will work out. Sir Charles In Charge had proposed that the Bucks could ask for the expiring contact of Eric Gordon, so they can have another shot at free agency. Other players of interest would be Tyreke Evans, in the hope that being coached by Jason Kidd could help, or even Asik, who is known for his defense.
The Bucks have denied they are shopping Monroe-or even that he is available, but it seems clear that Monroe is not a good fit with the Bucks. That means he is not at all untouchable and the Pelicans or any other team could acquire him for the right package.
