Monroe for Bennett could be great for both players and teams

[DCintheD]

Lebron once said it himself, "Greg Monroe is one of the best players no one talks about."

It's clear whoever Lebron wants to play with, Cleveland will do whatever it takes to get him. If they strike out on Love, Monroe is one of the most available players Lebron could reach out to, and someone that fills a major void. He's not the ideal rim protecter they'd be seeking but he's far more skilled offensively than any big they have.

If the Cavs can get Monroe at 4 for $40-44M, that'd be a steal, and for Monroe, he'd be a fool not to accept that if Lebron personally recruits him. He'd be the featured center and if for whatever reason it doesn't work out, he'd be a very valuable trade asset. I can't see Monroe taking that offer to stay here, and I really don't think he's worth more than that.

Bennett can be the stretch 4 we're seeking to play with Drummond for now and the future. He can shoot from just about anywhere and if given the opportunity to properly develop in SVG's system, he can become special.
I've mentioned this before but I see way more upside, for this team, in Bennett than Monroe, not to mention he's much cheaper.
This will allow us to use Smith at the 4 and slowly bring Bennett along. He's got great ball handling skills for his size, great body, and athleticism to become an ideal stretch 4 in today's game. He can play the 3 or 4 on offense and if he can learn to keep up with 3s on defense, he'd become even more valuable.
Don't judge him by his rookie season. Too much pressure on a crappy team coming off a surgery and struggling to get into NBA shape. Patience is needed with this kid.

Lebron won't have the patience to wait for Bennett to become a consistent contributor, Monroe is already there and would fit perfectly with what they already have.
I may be in the minority but I truly hope this is at least considered by both teams, and I hope Gilbert would consider dealing with us, he hates the Pistons.

[4Everbadboy]

Think the Cavs win by landslide in that trade...the Pistons have enough players with "upside" right now. Would be crazy to trade a proven capable starter for a player who might develop into something other then a role player.

Also im 100% against helping the Cavs in any fashion

[DETermination]

No, You don't trade Monroe for someone who averaged 4 points a game last season. The only way I trade Moose to the Cavs is if Wiggins is involved in the trade.

[DCintheD]

Think the Cavs win by landslide in that trade...the Pistons have enough players with "upside" right now. Would be crazy to trade a proven capable starter for a player who might develop into something other then a role player.

Also im 100% against helping the Cavs in any fashion

Unfortunately I don't see this as an ideal situation for Monroe to fully reach his potential. He needs to be a featured center and with Drummond around he won't be that. $12-14M per year is not worth keeping him around hoping he can adjust to PF, he's just not equipped for that position athletically in today's game.

Bennett, with his "upside" is just a better fit for our roster and he's much cheaper. He's low-risk, high-reward whereas Monroe, with the money he's seeking to stay here is medium-risk (only because of his youth), medium-reward (potentially low-reward due to fit). I'd take the chance on Bennett because of his potential fit, especially if it means we're balancing out our roster by default.

[tmorgan]

I'm on board for this, actually, but the Cavs would need to sweeten it a bit. I like Bennett's potential, and now is the time to buy low.

Monroe doesn't seem to want to be here. If we could get Bennett and someone with value for our rotation (not sure who that is on the Cavs, as most of the people I can think of would be too much to ask for), I'd at least consider it.

Sure, Moose is a lot better than Bennett now and may always be so, but a smart front office (which I think we have now) can use that extra $8 mil or so to seriously upgrade the squad.

[DCintheD]

No, You don't trade Monroe for someone who averaged 4 points a game last season. The only way I trade Moose to the Cavs is if Wiggins is involved in the trade.

It's stupid to write the guy off cuz of his rookie season stats...

[4Everbadboy]

Moose cant thrive as a PF in detroit, I agree with that. However trading for Bennett is simply selling low. He does not fit right now, maybe someday but you have to look at his stats...after all he was a top pick of the draft and had opportunities allot of players never get to showcase his skills. But there is nothing to indicate he will improve until he actually does. This isn't NBA2K where players potential means the world. Monroe is worth a proven starter in trade, to take anything less is foolish and a huge L.

[theBigLip]

I like the idea of picking up Bennett, but not at the expense of Monroe. Think about it - he is our second best asset (if we sign him of course). I'd rather overpay and keep him than give him away for Bennett. Monroe for Wiggins? Absolutely. And I don't think that is so far fetched, especially if we threw in some extras. Not that Monroe is as good as Love, but if Love is worth Wiggins and Bennett, and LBJ is down with getting a PF instead of having a 19 year old rookie, they could be some potential. We'd probably have to throw in some firsts, but it would certainly be worth it.

[wallacex2jc]

I better get Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, Verajao and a 1st round pick for Monroe and Smith


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[sfballa13]

I better get Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, Verajao and a 1st round pick for Monroe and Smith

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Id do Monroe, Singler, Smith for Varejao, Wiggins, Bennett, Thompson, Cash

We use the cash to buy out Varejao who returns back to the Cavs

Kyrie
Waiters / Ray Allen
Lebron / Singler - Mike Miller
Smith /
Monroe / Varejao

Wiggins, Bennett, Thompson << Smith/Monroe if Love is no longer available

Meanwhile, we will be:
Jennings / Augustin
KCP / Meeks
Wiggins
Thompson
Drummond

Young team that can grow together and we will get another high pick next year as well

[ElectricMayhem]

I don't want any part of Monroe for Bennett, but I also have to disagree with the other guy - Monroe for Wiggins IS far-fetched. We don't have the pieces to make that trade work, save for Drummond.

[Redeemed]

Trade a player who has been good for 15 pts 9 boards 4 to 5 assists with the potential to be even better in a stable environment for a guy who didn't look like an NBA player last year...who was good in summer league?


Not a good deal at all. Bennett is a 'Tweener with explosiveness and limited stamina. Reminds me a little of Maxiell with better offensive production. No thanks.

[mkl2021]

Since Monroe is a center and we have Drummond I would be more than willing to do a sign and trade centered around Monroe and Bennett. We get a young player with 3 years left on a rookie deal who I think will turn into a good power forward within the next few years. We also save money which can be used to help us get more pieces. I would toss in Bynum and we get a future first.

[Moose10Fan]

The stats show that Monroe and Drummond is a net positive together at C/PF position, just not with Smith on the court as well.

Monroe/Drummond works just fine.

[Bknight4three]

Toss in the Miami first round pick and I would consider it.

[tetris]

We're supposed to forget about how terrible he was last season because he showed up to summer league in 'better shape'

[The Penguin]

Monroe for Bennett doesn't work salary wise. They don't have filler to make it work outside of including Thompson or Waiters. I'm really not all that interested in Thompson, he'll be a RFA after this season and is basically a worse version of Monroe, shorter and also can't shoot or protect the rim. I'd do Bennett/Waiters for Monroe, but they'd have to do some leg work and find a 3rd team to take back Jennings while giving us an expiring contract as there's simply not minutes for all of KCP / Meeks / Waiters / Jennings / Augustin.


Long story short, there's A LOT of moving parts that would need to fall in place, Greg would have to want to go there and even then I'm not sure if I want to play a first hand role in turning their potential Achilles heel (no center or chance to get one) vs our size into a guy who knows Drummond first hand.

[kbrow20]

Are you guys seriously debating a Monroe for a terrible player like Bennett? If I was you I would only do it for good players for a player like that.

Monroe + Mitchell + Filler for Green + KO + Sullinger.

Sully and KO have more upside then Bennett and Green helps you stay competitive. That allows you to move Smith back to his natural position PF

[The Penguin]

Are you guys seriously debating a Monroe for a terrible player like Bennett? If I was you I would only do it for good players for a player like that.

Monroe + Mitchell + Filler for Green + KO + Sullinger.

Sully and KO have more upside then Bennett and Green helps you stay competitive. That allows you to move Smith back to his natural position PF

Yesterday people were trying to argue we shouldn't trade Monroe for Bledsoe, today people are trying to argue we should trade him for Bennett.

The board is all over the map on Monroe. Some of us wouldn't have a problem matching a max offer to keep him and trying to make Drummond / Monroe / Smith work as a rotation among the 2 big spots. Others think there's no way he can possibly work with Drummond and just want him gone. It doesn't help that Greg hasn't expressed a lot of interest in being back, at least not on the roster as currently constructed.


You touched on what I believe most people's ideal situation would be - trading him for a starting 3 along with a young player/decent draft pick. Those offers haven't really presented themselves. The bottom line is this is another example of Dumars screwing the pooch, we should have found out if Drummond + Monroe can work surrounded by shooters last year, instead our idiot GM/Coaches tried to force the Drummond/Monroe/Smith front court all season long, leaving us wondering if the pairing can work and tanking Smith's value in the process.

[Southern Piston]

Bennett and Verajao sure, Wiggins strait up sure, Just Bennett is crazy. If Bennett reached his potential he would be a beast next to drummond, but we'd need immediate value too.