Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 Free Agency Options
5. Greg Monroe, UFA
Position: Power Forward, Center
Age: 24
Experience: 5th Season
Slash Line: .496/.000/.750
Season Averages: 31.0 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG
The common theme in all 16 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ title runs has been the presence of a dominant interior scorer. The likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Andrew Bynum, Wilt Chamberlain, Pau Gasol, George Mikan and Shaquille O’Neal have starred during the Lakers’ glory days.
One of the top candidates who can be built around in such a capacity from 2015-16 onward is 24-year-old Greg Monroe.
Monroe hasn’t shown the capability of dominating in the way the previously listed players have. What he has done, however, is carve out his reputation as one of the most fundamentally sound interior players in the league.
Per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles, the Lakers called the Detroit Pistons in January about a potential trade for Monroe.
As for Lakers, they have been very active since 12/15. Made calls on Waiters, Jennings, Monroe. Asst GM Glen Carraro is working the phones.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 12, 2015
Clearly, there’s interest.
Monroe is a nightly double-double threat with the ability to work out of the post as both a scorer and a facilitator. He’s also a lackluster defensive presence who fails to provide a desired proficiency in rim protection.
By placing Monroe alongside Julius Randle, another offensively gifted but defensively shaky individual, L.A. could run into trouble. Bynum and Gasol weren’t exactly elite defenders, but their respective shot-blocking kept teams honest.
Monroe’s offensive potential is elite, but Los Angeles must weigh the value of defense before it pulls the trigger.
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