Greg Monroe (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue for the Milwaukee Bucks in their quest to find a better place for Greg Monroe.
The Bucks do not have the defensive capability to cover Monroe's deficiency in guarding the pick and roll but there is a team who can since they have the best man for the job.
The New Orleans Pelicans were already declared by Zach Lowe of ESPN as the team closest to seal the deal for Monroe. Lowe mentioned on his podcast: "I think [the Bucks] got closer than maybe has been reported with New Orleans during either the draft or free agency," and Marc Stein of ESPN responded "Monroe's a New Orleans native. I think that's where he wants to end up."
Anthony Davis is the difference maker here. He is long and quick enough to cover for Monroe's weakness, leaving the Pelicans free to maximize the center's scoring ability. However, it does take two to tango, and if the pieces don't match (which is probably why the trade has yet to made).
A possible three-way trade could emerge from these Greg Monroe rumors. The main trade piece that the Pelicans can send is Tyreke Evans, not really a fit for the Bucks since they already have tall playmakers (Michael Carter-Williams, Giannis Antetokounmpo), but they could use another back-up shooter.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets could use talent at any position and the team was already explored as a possible destination for Evans as shown in SB Nation team blog The Bird Writes.
If the Bucks send Monroe to the Pelicans and New Orleans sends Evans to the Brooklyn Nets, what could be a worthy return for the Milwaukee Bucks? Packaging Alexis Ajinca of the Pelicans as a back-up center option and Bojan Bogdanovic from the Brooklyn Nets as a reserve shooter would be a passable return for the Bucks.
Considering how long the Bucks have placed Monroe on the trading block and they could still not find a trade partner, this is a possible scenario that they could explore. Other centers on the trading block have yet to be swapped like Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. Monroe still has a lot to offer in the right roster, and the Pelicans could be the answer.
