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NBA Trade Rumors: Best Landing Spots for Greg Monroe

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 26, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) drives for the basket during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) drives for the basket during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) celebrates with teammate guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot at the buzzer at the end of the third quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 109-107 Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) celebrates with teammate guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot at the buzzer at the end of the third quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 109-107 Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2. New Orleans Pelicans

Record: 13-26

Untouchables: Anthony Davis

Tradable Assets: Ryan Anderson, PF; Omer Asik, C; Tyreke Evans, G/F; Eric Gordon, SG

The New Orleans Pelicans have a superstar power forward in Anthony Davis. The primary appeal in this discussion is that Davis operates extensively from the mid-post and perimeter, which means his style wouldn’t clash with the interior-based Greg Monroe.

Coupled with the fact that Davis is an elite interior defender who can mask some of Monroe’s flaws, Milwaukee and New Orleans could be potential trade partners in 2016.

During a recent appearance on NBA.com’s Black and Blue Report, Pelicans general manager Dell Demps acknowledged that New Orleans needs to make changes.

"“We will do what’s needed to get this team on track,” Demps said. “Obviously we dug ourselves a deep hole. And it’s going to be tough for us to fight back into it this year. But we’re always looking for the long term as well as the short term. We haven’t given up on the season. “People always ask about trades: ‘Are you gonna make a trade? Are you gonna do something for the short term?’ I say, ‘We have to do what makes sense.’"

What makes sense is improving at center.

The Pelicans shelled out roughly $58 million over five seasons to keep Omer Asik in New Orleans—a move that has been widely criticized. Asik is averaging just 16.8 minutes per game in 2015-16, and is a very difficult player to move because of his contract.

Monroe isn’t the defensive enforcer that Asik has proven to be, but he’s a vastly superior offensive player. He can create from the post, crash the boards on both ends, work the pick-and-roll, and finishes ambidextrously.

Milwaukee needs shooters—it’s No. 27 in the NBA in 3-point field goals made per game—and that makes a potential swap of Monroe for Ryan Anderson an attractive possibility.

Next: Why?

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