Report: Former Sun Monroe signs with Celtics over Pelicans
Feb 2, 2018, 11:20 AM | Updated: 12:13 pm
Phoenix Suns' Greg Monroe (14) and Devin Booker (1) battle for a loose ball with Boston Celtics' Semi Ojeleye, left, and Daniel Theis, center right, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Greg Monroe had his choice of playoff contenders to join when the Phoenix Suns waived him and bought out the remainder of his contract. He decided to join the Boston Celtics, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday.
Monroe signed a $5 million deal to play off the Celtics’ bench behind center Al Horford, and he chose that situation over a starting role with the New Orleans Pelicans, who recently lost starting center DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles tear. New Orleans could only extend a $2.2 million offer to Monroe.
Wojnarowski adds that Boston had $8.4 million in money to spend due to the opening-night ankle fracture to swingman Gordon Hayward.
The Suns acquired Monroe on Nov. 7 in a trade that shipped Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix also acquired a protected first-round pick and a protected second.
Way to double dip Greg!!!!!!! 😂😂😂 Love it! Get your money https://t.co/Aq0inq2IOd
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 2, 2018
In 20 games with the Suns (14 starts), Monroe shot 63 percent from the field while averaging 11.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 23.3 minutes.
He was often a healthy scratch with Tyson Chandler and Alex Len also eating up minutes at the center position.
Monroe’s $17.9 million contract for this season was required to be exchanged as the Suns traded the disgruntled Bledsoe, who was sent away from the team for a tweet that read “I Dont wanna be here” following the third game of the year.
Wojnarowski reported that the Suns attempted to flip Monroe’s contract before deciding to waive him.
Phoenix was limited in how it could trade Monroe, whose contract is also expiring. Due to the size of the contract, the Suns would have had to take back close to the same amount of money in a straight swap, or get involved in a three- or four-team deal involving more salaries.
