The Los Angeles Lakers will be a whole different team next season as they spend the summer drafting new players, hiring a new coach and luring free agents. One name that has been linked to Los Angeles is Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe, who could be on the move this summer.
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According to The Sporting News, Monroe has some interest from the Lakers as the 6-foot-11 center will become a restricted free agent with the Pistons when the free agency period hits, and the team may opt to not bring him back.
The Pistons may be forced to make a tough decision soon as the team is on the fence about what to do with Monroe and reports have indicated that the Lakers could be set to offer him a max contract which would force the Pistons into an ultimatum where the team may just have to let him walk.
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The Sporting News reports that the Lakers are the most frequent team mentioned aside from the Pistons when Monroe's name is thrown around. The report states that the knowledge around the league is that if the Lakers don't make any big moves around the draft and the team gives up on its pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, it could go after Monroe.
The team has plans to try and court 'Melo, however if those plans fall through and Anthony remains with the Knicks or signs somewhere other than with the Lakers, the team has a list of lower-tier free agents that it may go after and topping that list is Monroe.
The Lakers are looking for a new coach following the resignation of Mike D'Antoni and is hoping to re-stock talent through the draft and free agency after finishing a franchise-worst 27-55 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005 this season.
The Pistons are unlikely to match the offer of a max deal if the Lakers throw it out there, but it remains to be seen if that will come to fruition.
Monroe was drafted by the Pistons No. 7overall in the 2010 NBA Draft and has spent his entire four-year career in Detroit, but it is possible he could be switching uniforms next season after 309 games spent with the Pistons.
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