Greg Monroe, Suns Agree To Contract Buyout; Center To Become Free Agent

Greg Monroe and the Phoenix Suns have agreed to a contract buyout, thus clearing the way for the center to become an unrestricted free agent.

Greg Monroe contract with suns news

The Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans both have strong interest in Monroe, and are reportedly near the top of his list. According to CBS Sports, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers could also potentially sign the center.

The Celtics have the advantage of using part of their $8.4 million disabled player exception gained after Gordon Hayward’s ankle injury to sign Monroe, which would grant them the ability to pay him more than teams that could only offer the veteran’s minimum. Hayward also suffered a fractured tibia in Boston’s season opener and was ruled out for the season, his first with the Celtics.

Following the loss of DeMarcus Cousins for the season, Monroe could gain the opportunity to play several minutes for the Pelicans.

The 27-year-old Monroe was earning  $17.8 million in the final year of his contract. He has averaged 11.2 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes per game with the Suns. He will be placed on waivers Thursday and remain there for 48 hours before becoming a free agent if unclaimed.

Phoenix agreed to the buyout after exhausting trade possibilities for Monroe, who landed with the Suns as part of the Eric Bledsoe deal in November.

Before this trade, Monroe averaged a career-low 6.8 points and five rebounds in limited minutes this season for the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he has been since 2015.

In his career — which has also included five seasons with the Detroit Pistons — Monroe has averaged 13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. He was drafted seventh overall by the Pistons out of Georgetown in 2010.

Suns guard Isaiah Canaan sustained a gruesome ankle injury in Wednesday’s 102-88 home victory over the Dallas Mavericks, and could be out for the season. Canaan’s surgery was scheduled for Thursday. Phoenix (18-34, 13th in Western Conference) next hosts Utah on Friday night.

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 29: Greg Monroe #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Amir Johnson #90 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at TD Garden on March 29, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts.