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NBA Trade Rumors: High-Profile Players In Dire Need Of A Trade

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the basketball game agains the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center March 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the basketball game agains the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center March 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) shoots against Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) shoots against Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Greg Monroe, Milwaukee Bucks

Position: Center
Age: 26 (6/4/1990)
2016-17 Salary: $17,145,838
Slash Line: .522/.000/.740
Season Averages: 29.3 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG

One could easily make a case that Greg Monroe isn’t a star, but he’s certainly being paid like one. Monroe will receive upwards of $35 million over the next two seasons—assuming he doesn’t opt out after the 2016-17 campaign—and continues to thrive analytically.

The issue: Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Bucks don’t quite know how to use Monroe in their rotations. Per Bucks beat writer Gery Woelfel, that has Monroe on the trading block.

"…the Bucks have let it be known in NBA circles that they’re willing to unload Monroe  at the right price. “Everybody knows he’s available,’’ an NBA executive told me the other day about Monroe."

Monroe has the raw ability to be an All-Star, but he transitioned from one poor fit—the Detroit Pistons—to another—the Bucks. It seemed as though Monroe and Jabari Parker were finding a rhythm late in the season, but Woelfel’s report suggests the organization believes otherwise.

When a player making upwards of $17 million per season is playing less than 30 minutes per game, there’s reason to be concerned.

If Monroe were traded to a postseason-caliber team that actually needs an offensive-minded big man, then he could thrive. The Bucks’ remaining duo could find its traction during the summer of 2016, and Giannis Antetokounmpo moving to point guard could create new possibilities.

If the Bucks selecting Thon Maker at No. 10 in the 2016 NBA Draft proved anything, it’s that Monroe needs an out.

Next: Odd Man Out

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