Greg Monroe (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in the center of NBA trade rumors because of Greg Monroe and they may find a new partner with the Boston Celtics.
The rumors about Greg Monroe on the block has lingered even before the trade deadline and ESPN top writers Zach Lowe and Marc Stein have confirmed that the Bucks are indeed trying to move him and confirmed that talks with the New Orleans Pelicans took place. This was discussed by Matt Moore of CBS.
One of the teams that Moore suggested as a possible destination is the Boston Celtics, who are stacked with competent (but not star-level) talent at every position except center.
"He (Monroe) can play next to Al Horford, who covers up many of his deficiencies, even if rim protection would remain an issue, and the Celtics could land him without giving up "coveted" assets Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart or Jae Crowder (and if they only gave up one of those guards, it's still a good deal)," Moore said.
Boston's search for a big man is no secret. They have been rumored to trade for Jahlil Okafor for the longest time but the issue was always what the Sixers want in return. Also, the Celtics are wary of the off-court issues that Okafor had in his rookie year which happened in, of all places, Boston itself.
Monroe has none of those issues and he has also not had serious injury problems as yet. He could be a very valuable asset in a team that has the defensive personnel to cover for him.
This is why Hardwood Houdini, a Boston Celtics site, recommended a trade for Monroe. The Sixers continue to hold out on Okafor, but the Bucks seem more receptive to offers for "Moose."
"As the small ball trend has the rest of the league going small, these low post scoring bigs can be had at an extreme value," James Balskiewicz of HH wrote. "Pairing highly skilled big men in Horford and Monroe can give the Celtics a definitive edge over smaller teams ill-equipped to deal with that type of size down low."
Will the Celtics take that advice? What would they be willing to offer the Bucks?
