The Detroit Pistons are facing the dilemma of keeping Greg Monroe for the remainder of the season and risk losing him next summer, or just trade him before the deadline next month.
Recent reports indicated that the Pistons are willing to become sellers before the deadline, and the fate of Monroe could depend on the future of Josh Smith in Detroit.
Sources said that Monroe will stay in Detroit if the Pistons can find a taker for Smith, who is playing just in the first year of the three-year, $54-million deal he signed during the offseason.
But should the Pistons decide to keep Smith and part ways with Monroe, Basketball Insiders reported that the Washington Wizards could make a strong push for the emerging power forward.
According to sources, the Wizards are already setting their sights to Monroe. The Wizards could actually wait for Monroe to hit free agency this summer, but the Pistons can match any offer to their fourth-year forward, which makes a trade before the deadline possible for the Wizards to avoid competition for his service in the offseason.
"One team that is interested in Monroe is the Washington Wizards, according to multiple league sources. It's becoming clear that Washington is planning to pursue Monroe, either through trade or free agency," Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders noted in his report.
And if the Wizards decide to trade for Monroe, the Pistons are expected to ask for young prospect or picks that could help them continue retooling their roster in their bid to get back in title contention in the next few seasons.
NBC Sports reported that Bradley Beal could be mentioned in the discussion, but a trade involving third-overall pick Otto Porter looks more workable for both parties.
Monroe's value is on a high as he is averaging 14.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season.
Porter is also an intriguing prospect, but the rookie forward has yet to show his potential after starting the season on the sidelines due to an injury. Sources believe that the early-season struggle of Porter will not discourage the Pistons from striking a deal involving Monroe and Porter.
"A deal structured around Monroe for Otto Porter might make sense. When Washington drafted Porter No. 3, he was more valuable than Monroe, but a slow start to his rookie year, even if injury related, has worn some shine off Porter. It's way too early to write off Porter, which is why the Pistons might be interested," Dan Feldman of NBC Sports noted.
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