Greg Monroe
Greg Monroe probably doesn’t immediately jump out as a strong candidate for Utah’s frontcourt. However, if Favors and Udoh both jet, there’s a lot to like about him as a stopgap.
First and foremost, he can score in the paint. Let’s not forget that he’s just a few years removed from averaging 15 and nine and, at 28, he’s still got a lot left in the tank. Despite playing less minutes last season than at any other point in his career, he continued to put the ball in the basket at a solid rate, scoring 18.1 points per 36 minutes on 57-74 shooting splits.
Monroe is also underrated as a post passer. In 26 games to close the year with the Boston Celtics, he assisted on over 20 percent of his teammates’ buckets when he was on the floor.
Defensively, there are issues. He may be 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, but he doesn’t exactly shut things down on the interior. He’s pretty slow of foot and his awareness is occasionally lacking as well.
Monroe isn’t a floor-stretcher either. Although at this price point, in the middling back-up big pack, most of your options aren’t.
As a second-unit post scorer and rebounder, though, Monroe has definite value. Last season, he averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game as a first-time bench player. That’s a useful player to have.
Next: Kyle O'Quinn