Greg Monroe has been a trade target all summer and linked in several deals, but the big man is still in Milwaukee and until the Bucks get the players they want, it appears he will remain. There are reports that a new team could look to add his services, Charlotte, as they look to become contenders in the Eastern Conference and make a run at the playoffs in 2017.
Fan Sided reported that the 26-year-old could be headed to the Hornets for shooting guard Jeremy Lamb and backup center Spencer Hawes, a deal that would fill the needs of both teams for the upcoming basketball season.
Monroe averaged over 15 points and nearly 9 rebounds per game in his first year with the Bucks, but it wasn’t enough to get this franchise back into the playoffs and reports of chemistry problems on the court created some issues. Milwaukee isn’t deep on the wing and the front office appears set to fix that issue, adding Lamb would add the depth they feel they need, but also rid the team of a big contract, allowing management to rebuild the roster with a big name free agent next summer.
Charlotte has reportedly been looking to move both Lamb and Hawes over the summer, but failed to trade either player, but landing a true NBA center for two backups would be big for the franchise and its fans.
The 2016-17 season will be interesting with the likes of Golden State, Cleveland, and a couple other teams having big time talent all across their rosters, but for the mid-market franchises, making the playoffs could help attract more talent in the future and if both sides feel this deal would improve those chances, pulling the trigger now makes sense.
