NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Exploring Trade With Detroit Pistons For Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings Before Deadline
The Los Angeles Lakers are just 12-26, and it looks like the team is about to start rebuilding.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers have contacted the Detroit Pistons in a trade that could possibly include both Greg Monroe and Brandon Jennings.
The Lakers know they won't be hoisting another championship banner anytime soon, so getting young reliable talent is smart. Monroe is still just 24 years old, and he has spent his entire four-and-a-half-year career with the Pistons. Every year since the 2010-11 season, Monroe has averaged more than 15 points per game, and he has missed just one game in the process. A young talented big man is just what the Lakers need.
Monroe is in the final year of his contract, and the Lakers would most likely look to re-sign him for the future if acquired.
Drafted No. 7 overall out of Georgetown in 2010, Monroe has been a reliable free throw shooter, great rebounder and a consistent player. Georgetown is no stranger to talented big men in the NBA with notable front-court players like Dikembe Mutombo, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Roy Hibbert.
Trading away Monroe would surprise a lot of Pistons fans because the team is turning things around lately. Since the Pistons waived Josh Smith, they have won nine of their last 10 games. Disrupting a winning streak could be risky, but, then again, losing Monroe in free agency with no value in return could be worse.
There's no telling what or who the Lakers would be willing to give up for Monroe, but they have been busy lately on the phones. Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin both have large contracts, and the Lakers have been trying to deal them away before the trade deadline.
The Pistons and Lakers have also been talking about sending Brandon Jennings to Los Angeles as well. Jennings is an underrated point guard who leads the Pistons in assists per game this season with 6.6. Jennings is still 25 years old, and he has shown great passing abilities despite not having great scorers around him. Jennings is currently under contract until the end of next season, where he is scheduled to make $8.3 million.
As far as point guards on the trade block, the New York Kicks have been trying to trade Jose Calderon, but the Lakers may be better off with a younger guard like Jennings instead. With Russell Westbrook back for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Reggie Jackson is also tradable.
The Lakers could offer Jordan Hill or Robert Sacre, who were both in trade talks in December with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Next season is Hill's final remaining year on his contract in which he is scheduled to make $9 million. Sacre's contract expires at the end of next season as well. If the Pistons have no interest in anyone on the Lakers roster, they can always offer draft picks.
This could be a great opportunity for the Lakers to get younger and clear cap space. As all-time great as Kobe Bryant is, retirement is looming in the near future. Pistons fans may question why the team would trade away their top two scorers, but the reality is the Pistons are still 14-24 with the 22nd ranked offense. They may make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, but they won't get far. A trade between the Lakers and Pistons could be a win-win situation for everyone involved.
The NBA Trade deadline is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. EST
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