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Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: What Would It Take To Trade Greg Monroe?

By Adam McGee

Nov 6, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd draws up a play for Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks defeated the Knicks 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd draws up a play for Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Bucks defeated the Knicks 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reaches for the basket around Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reaches for the basket around Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Center

The reason the Milwaukee Bucks went after Greg Monroe was that many experts were insisting that what they truly needed was a post-up oriented, dominant inside scorer.

That may have been true in last season’s playoff run, but it wasn’t necessarily accounting for the way in which the frontcourt would change with the inclusion of a fit again Jabari Parker. Defense is most definitely not Parker’s strong suit, and if Milwaukee want to get the best out of their young star, they may need to get a center who can help counter that.

If the Bucks were to move Monroe in pursuit of a player in that mold, it would be a sign that they don’t necessarily have faith in John Henson‘s ability as a starting center. At least in theory, Henson should fit that bill of requirements.

There are some excellent defensive centers currently rumored to be available via trade though.

Dwight Howard could become a free agent this summer, so the Rockets will certainly be open to offers. Any deal for Howard would be challenging salary wise for Milwaukee, and with his waning health, it certainly wouldn’t be advisable. A younger, healthier Howard would have been the type of best of both worlds center that Milwaukee could have thrived with though.

Another player that might be available who could offer Milwaukee a boost defensively, while also maintaining a varied offensive threat is Al Horford.

As a free agent this summer, any deal involving Horford would include Gary Payton-esque risks for the Bucks, but a veteran leader, who can lock down defensively while also stretching out and shooting the three on offense is a very rare talent that would certainly alter how the Bucks prepare for the future.

The challenge for the Bucks would be to find a center who ticks all the right boxes and that they can be confident of sharing a long-term future with. Is that player out there, and if so, are they truly attainable? If the Bucks believe so, I’ve no doubt they’d be prepared to make a deal.

Next: Wing Support

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