Greg Monroe has been seeking a new home after he agreed to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns. Monroe has found his next destination as he will now be the newest member of the Boston Celtics. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was the first to report the news.
Greg Monroe will sign with the Boston Celtics, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 2, 2018
Woj also adds the deal will be worth $5 million over the course of the rest of the season. The Pelicans were also a team interested in Monroe’s services but the Celtics were the team that landed Monroe from the fact that Boston remains the top seed in the Eastern Conference. New Orleans could only offer him $2.2 million as Boston’s offer was obviously financially stronger.
Boston used their Injury Exception that they received when Gordon Hayward went down for the season on the opening night of the season. Boston could have given $8.4 million to Monroe total but managed to give him $5 million. Monroe will officially clear waivers on Saturday when he can officially sign with Boston. The exception can only be used once so they will not have the chance to use the remaining $3.4 million.
The Celtics current frontcourt depth includes the likes of Al Horford, Aron Baynes, and Daniel Theis. Monroe gives the Celtics a proven option as a reliable rebounder and low post scorer. Monroe has averaged 10.4 points per game during the 2017/2018 season. Monroe has also averaged 7.4 rebounds per game on 60 percent shooting. Now Monroe gets to play for the best coach in the NBA, Greg Monroe, instead of being stuck in the black hole of the Phoenix Suns. Monroe started the season Bucks but was ultimately dealt with the deal that sent Eric Bledsoe to the Bucks.
The Celtics could still be in the market for an off the bench wing scorer. Tyreke Evans and Lou Williams could be on the radar but Boston is always wary of giving up first-round picks for expiring contracts.
