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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Phoenix Suns have reached a buyout agreement with Greg Monroe.
The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a contract buyout with Greg Monroe, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
Monroe was traded to Phoenix on November 7 as a part of the deal that sent Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks. Since then, Monroe has appeared in only 20 games with the Suns. On the season, he’s averaged 10.4 PPG and 7.4 RPG over 22 minutes per game.
Monroe has been the subject of buyout speculation for weeks, but Phoenix’s timing comes as a surprise given that we still have a eight days before the NBA Trade Deadline.
Wojnarowski anticipates that Monroe will draw “significant interest” around the league once he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Between the $8.4 Million Designated Player Exception and Boston’s need for additional depth along the front court, Danny Ainge can theoretically present an appetizing offer to Monroe’s camp.
Market will be robust for Greg Monroe--and Boston, armed with an $8.4 million DPE, will likely be an aggressive suitor. Celtics need a big, and Monroe has killed them in years past.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) February 1, 2018