Contrary to previous reports, the Detroit Pistons plan to keep center Greg Monroe with the organization. Pistons president and coach Stan Van Gundy said re-signing Monroe in the offseason is one of the team's top priority.
Reports throughout the season indicated Monroe might be put on the trade block prior to July 1, when he becomes a restricted free agent. Van Gundy, though, made it clear Detroit would prefer to re-sign Monroe and will likely match any offers made to him.
"He's a very high priority for us," Van Gundy said, via the Detroit News. "We have ideas on who might offer him what. Our strategy is if Greg gets a max offer, what are we gonna do? There's only three things we can do. He can sign a qualifying offer, sign him (to a long term deal) or do a sign-and-trade. ...
"We talk about it a lot and (general manager Jeff Bower) has been through it before. You weigh what's out there because once you give him a qualifying offer, he can sign it or get an offer sheet. What level of an offer would we match? We're prepared for that and doing due diligence for people who want to sign and trade for him."
The Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks, both of who can offer Monroe a max contract, reportedly are interested in the 24-year-old.
Monroe, a four-year pro, finished the 2013 season with 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game; he has career averages of 14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
