Milwaukee Bucks: 3 potential Greg Monroe trade destinations
By Adam McGee
Atlanta Hawks
With Dwight Howard now in Charlotte, Mike Muscala potentially departing in free agency, and Paul Millsap almost a certainty to go, the Atlanta Hawks are one of very few teams with an obvious need for a skilled big man.
As things stand the Hawks have limited cap space, but that could change drastically in a hurry if the likes of Millsap, Muscala, Thabo Sefolosha, Tim Hardaway Jr. or Ersan Ilyasova were to agree to deals elsewhere or have their rights renounced.
The Hawks are the proud owners of the Eastern Conference’s longest running playoff streak, and if they have any interest in continuing that run, Monroe would seem like a very solid option to take on as a one-year rental.
On the other hand, if the Hawks are fully committed to a rebuild, they may still be open to taking on Monroe’s $17 million contract for the upcoming season, but could well need their palms greased in the form of draft picks to do a deal.
Monroe would instantly be Atlanta’s standout big ahead of his former teammate Miles Plumlee in the pecking order, and would likely have plenty of opportunity working toward his own free agency next summer.
Although a deal with the Hawks may cost the Bucks a future asset, one potential pro as they look to escape salary cap hell would be not having to take back any significant salary to complete a deal.