The Phoenix Suns were one of the most surprising teams last season, and the young team could become even better as they are planning to make moves before the start of the 2014-15 NBA season.
Jordan Schultz of NBC Sports Radio reported on Monday the Suns, who almost made the playoff last season, are planning to sign Monroe to an offer sheet in hopes of pairing the emerging power forward to Eric Bledsoe.
Monroe, who averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season, is a restricted free agent, which means that the Detroit Pistons have the right to match any offer to the 24-year-old forward.
However, the Suns will have a good chance of acquiring the former Georgetown standout if they will offer a lucrative deal - a deal which is expensive enough to make the Pistons think twice.
Newly-named Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy previously said that re-signing Monroe is the team's top priority this offseason, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports pointed out on Monday that the Pistons appear to be more open to ending their ties with the four-year veteran.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Suns could offer up to $13.6 million in the first year of the deal, while also keeping Bledsoe, who is also a restricted free agent this summer.
"The Phoenix Suns have roughly $12.759 million available under the cap and could free up an additional $915,000 by renouncing the cap hold on Leandro Barbosa. The Suns do have a $6.56 million qualifying offer out to Eric Bledsoe," Kyler wrote. "There have been reports that the Suns might issue an offer to Pistons free agent Greg Monroe, and could do a deal starting at $13.6 million and still be able to retain Bledsoe using his Bird rights."
Keeping Bledsoe is not a given, though, even if the Suns successfully lure Monroe from the Pistons by offering a lucrative deal or via a sign-and-trade.
It is worth noting that Bledsoe, who averaged 17.7 points to go along with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, turned down a four-year, $48 million offer from the Suns.
The 24-year-old point guard, who only played 43 games last season due to injuries, is reportedly asking for a maximum five-year, $80 million deal, but the Suns are not willing to give into his demands.
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