Going into free agency yesterday, avid Milwaukee Bucks fans knew that the team's biggest weakness was at the center position. In year's past, team management has seen its coveted free agents go to bigger markets: New York, L.A, Chicago, etc.
So when free agency kicked off yesterday and the team's biggest targets quickly started being snatched up by other teams one by one, it felt like Milwaukee might strikeout in free agency again. Tyson Chandler to the Phoenix Suns. Brook Lopez back to the New Jersey Nets. Brandan Wright to the Memphis Grizzlies.
So as the list of available targets shrunk, Bucks nation grew anxious. But then, miraculously and unexpectedly, this happened:
A top-tier free agent chose Milwaukee. This is huge. Greg Monroe, who was also being courted by the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, chose to come to the most competitive team seeking his services: the Milwaukee Bucks.
The deal is for 3 years/$50 million dollars, with the third year being a player option. This contract structure will allow the Bucks to maintain some flexibility when it comes time to lock-in Giannis Antetekounmpo and Jabari Parker with long term contracts in a few summers.
Still, for a team that is interested in a gradual rebuild by way of youth movement, one question immediately comes to mind: Is Monroe worth the money?
First, Greg Monroe is eeeeaaasily the best rebounder on the Bucks roster, with one arm tied behind his back. He has averaged nearly 10 rebounds a game for the past 4 years for the Detroit Pistons, even playing next to Andre Drummond, a perennial threat to lead the NBA in rebounding.
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Monroe also possesses incredible scoring ability in the post that the Bucks haven't had since back when Andrew Bogut had two good arms, and Monroe was in the top-5 in the NBA last season in points-in-the-paint, with a low usage percentage. In addition to his low-post scoring ability, Monroe's also an above average passer.
The biggest knock on Monroe is that he is not a rim protector or shot blocker. He averages right around half a block per game in his career, which is a pretty inadequate number for a starting center, especially on a defensive-minded team. Still, the Bucks were second in the NBA in defensive efficiency last year with Zaza Pachulia in the middle, and Monroe's quick defensive hands (1.1 steals per game in 2014) and ability to control the boards will only help improve the overall team defense.
The Bucks brass are building a legitimate title contender. With Michael Carter Williams, Khris Middleton, Giannis "The Greek Freek" Antetekounmpo, Jabari Parker and now Greg Monroe as their starting 5 for the next 3 seasons at least, the 2015-2016 team's expectations will be higher than any Bucks squad since the days of Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell. (Let's try and forget the ill-conceived addition of Anthony Mason.)
Watch Monroe show off his offensive abilities below:
