National Basketball Association

Charlotte Hornets Rumors: Team Has No Interest in Greg Monroe

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Even though the Charlotte Hornets were previously linked to Greg Monroe, it now seems that they are not interested in the Milwaukee Bucks’ big man.

A recent report from Marc Stein of ESPN claims that the Charlotte Hornets “are said to have no interest in Monroe”. They were previously linked to the Milwaukee Bucks‘ big man earlier this summer. The rumored trade was a package deal including Spencer Hawes and Jeremy Lamb.

The report from Stein says that Charlotte “already committed to trying to nurse Roy Hibbert back to prominence” as opposed to trading for Greg Monroe. Even though Hibbert had a career-worst season with the Los Angeles Lakers last year, he is looking for a career resurgence with the Hornets. The team’s more committed to the cheaper option in Roy rather than make a deal for Monroe, who has two-years, $35 million left on his contract that includes a play-option for the 2017-18 season.

The Queen City team signed Hibbert to a one-year, $5 million deal this offseason with the idea of helping him resurrect his career. Much like Jeremy Lin and Nicolas Batum, Roy is hoping to thrive under Steve Clifford this season.. I think Charlotte’s refusal to make the Monroe deal has as much to do with Jeremy Lamb as it does with their newly acquired big man.

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No only do the Hornets seem committed to Hibbert but they also seem committed to Lamb who is their potential sixth man this year. When first hearing about the Monroe trade rumor, many fans wanted Charlotte to immediately make the deal but Rich Cho and company have other ideas in mind. While Greg is talented, if Jeremy Lamb and Roy Hibbert play to their potential, they should outplay the Bucks’ big man.

Jeremy Lamb had a productive start with the Hornets last season but he faded away at the end of the year when he was seemingly placed in coach Clifford’s doghouse. It is unclear what his role will be in the 2016-17 season but just like Hibbert, he will be looking to prove himself and improve on last year. At this point, Roy looks like he will be the starting center on opening night.

Charlotte’s taking a chance on Hibbert this season but if it pays off, the team may be better off than if they would have traded for Monroe. Even after a productive year when Monroe averaged 15.3 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game, the Bucks are struggling to find a buyer for the big man. There were high hopes surrounding Greg when Milwaukee first signed him as a huge offseason acquisition last summer but those hopes have seemed to fizzle out as he is now set to come off of the bench for them in the 2016 campaign.

The Milwaukee Bucks are still looking to trade either Greg Monroe or Michael Carter-Williams before the season begins but the Hornets will not be buyers. Charlotte’s roster seems set for the regular season as it is unlikely that they make any trades before October 26th. The season opener should be an interesting game as the two teams reported in this trade rumor will square off.

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