The New York Knicks will reportedly target Greg Monroe this summer and reports indicated that both parties have mutual interests and could agree to a lucrative deal in the offseason.

The New York Daily News reported that that the Monroe-to-Knicks scenario is "close to a done deal" because representatives of both parties previously expressed willingness to negotiate a deal this summer.

League executives are also convinced that Knicks president Phil Jackson has Monroe on top of his list of targets in the offseason and is willing to offer a lucrative deal to the 24-year-old power forward.

However, Monroe and the Knicks are not allowed to talk about a mutual agreement because it could lead to a violation of the league tampering rules. The Knicks are not allowed to talk to players of opposing teams until the free agency period begins in July.

Monroe, who is averaging 16.1 points to go along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season, is represented by agent David Falk, who reportedly has a strong relationship with Jackson over the past 20 years dating back to when Michael Jordan was still under his representation.

NY Daily News also added that Charley Rosen, a longtime friend of Jackson, recently said that Monroe is the perfect big man for the triangle offense the Knicks are using under first-year coach Derek Fisher.

Asked about the NY Daily News report that linked him to the Knicks, Monroe insisted that he is not aware of any negotiations between his representatives and the Knicks. He said that the Knicks might have talked about their interest in him, which fueled speculation that they have mutual interest on a deal in the offseason.

"This stuff right here, it's just unfortunate that we have to talk about it," Monroe said. "I know we have to. But I talk to my agent every day, and I know for sure, I'm 100-percent, 1,000-percent confident, that he hasn't done anything. If they have interest, maybe they might have commented on that. But I haven't even gotten to that place yet."

Monroe was a restricted free agent last summer, but he opted to sign a one-year qualifying offer to stay in Detroit for another season. His situation this summer will be different from last year as he will have the right to pick a team without giving the Pistons a chance to match the offer.

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