Atlanta Hawks: Free Agency Rumors Begin
By Adam McGee
Greg Monroe
With an interest long rumored, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders confirmed that the Hawks reached out to Greg Monroe and his representatives last night.
Monroe is an extremely talented young power forward/center, but considering the Hawks’ depth in that position, the team’s interest in Monroe continues to be puzzling. Atlanta has Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Adreian Payne and Pero Antic on the books, and have also extended a qualifying offer to Mike Scott.
That scale of frontcourt log jam makes the Hawks’ interest in Monroe seem puzzling unless it’s the first in a series of moves. If Atlanta feels strongly about the prospect of Monroe long term, it would seem in their best interests to look to trade Paul Millsap and his highly valuable expiring contract.
Even this wouldn’t solve all of Atlanta’s problems though. Horford and Monroe don’t have dissimilar skill sets, and if the Hawks were to sign Monroe, it would be yet another move that would prevent Horford from playing at his more natural power forward position.
Monroe’s status as a restricted free agent makes a deal with the Hawks unlikely, but it’s one to keep an eye on with all of the other implications it could have on Atlanta’s roster.