Milwaukee Bucks: Five Potential Trade Destinations For Greg Monroe

Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Charlotte won 115-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Charlotte won 115-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) looks for a shot against New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) looks for a shot against New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans

If Greg Monroe had the chance to choose the next destination of his NBA career, a homecoming in New Orleans would likely rank towards the top of his list.

The Pelicans have previously enquired about Monroe’s availability and reports at the trade deadline suggested that he was eager to return to his home state.

A Pelicans pursuit of Greg Monroe begins to make even more sense when you consider the existing options that New Orleans has at center. In spite of a low-key but impressive offseason that improved their depth options all around, Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca remain far from inspiring at the center spot.

The problem in any potential Bucks/Pelicans deal arises from Milwaukee’s understandable reluctance to take on Asik’s dreadful contract or Tyreke Evans‘ terrifying injury history. The Pelicans just don’t to seem to have the assets to make a deal.

Still, there may be no other team with the same level of motivation to acquire Monroe. The one year deal need not scare the Pelicans as much as others, as they’d have a plausible appeal to get Monroe to re-sign on a new contract.

It would almost certainly take a third team with the cap space necessary to absorb Asik’s contract, but don’t rule out a Pelicans deal just yet.

Next: Brooklyn Nets