Greg Monroe (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks could consider trading Greg Monroe in the offseason and replace him with a defensive-minded big man, according to the latest NBA rumors.
The Bucks are one of the few NBA teams who could sorely consider trading some of the players in their core roster to get back on their winning ways next seasons. One proposed move the Bucks may consider is trading away Monroe and fill the five spot with a defensive center, according to Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders.
Brigham noted that the Monroe has not been a good fit in Milwaukee on both ends of the floor, with the team seemingly more effective in utilizing their younger assets, although the 26-year-old big man averaged 15.3 points on 52.2 percent shooting from the field this season.
According to Team Rankings, the Bucks are ninth in the league in points allowed in the paint, with 44.0 Opponent Points per game. In a total of 103.2 OPPG, it means the Bucks are giving up 42 percent of opposing teams' inside the paint, and part of it could be accounted to Monroe's 2.4 Defensive Win Shares (Basketball-reference).
With Monroe arguably a liability for the Bucks on the defensive end, Milwaukee may try to sign a defensive center in the summer. One potential free agent that could fit the mold is Houston Rockets big man Dwight Howard, whom Brigham noted as one of the listed potential targets in the summer market.
Less than a month after the Feb. 18 trade deadline, Bucks play-by-play man Gus Johnson claimed that Howard wanted to be traded to Milwaukee during the trade deadline, as reported by Dan Devin of Ball Don't Lie.
It is worth noting that the report about Howard's move to join the Bucks was only for the 2015-2016 regular season, with the All-Star center expected to opt out of his four-year $87.5 million contract with the Rockets for more lucrative deals.
Nevertheless, Howard could give the Bucks the needed presence inside the paint. Despite his age, D12 is still considered as one of the most elite big men in the league, averaging 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
However, it could only be the case if the three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner would be satisfied with his role with the Bucks as there were reports about Howard unhappy playing second fiddle with James Harden, although the situation could be different if the Rockets center plays in another team.
According to Real GM, the Bucks have a projected maximum cap space of $25.2 million this summer, but it may not be enough if Howard is convinced he deserves to get a max contract once he hits the market. But if the Bucks could get Howard for a cheaper price, he would be a nice addition to Jason Kidd's youthful squad.
