Toronto Raptors: Looking at how Greg Monroe fits the lineup
The Toronto Raptors have reportedly signed Greg Monroe to a one-year deal in a move that brings in a strong veteran presence off the bench.
Almost a week after the Toronto Raptors reportedly showed interest in Greg Monroe, it was reported that the centre has agreed to a contract with the teamon Monday.
Since being drafted in 2010 by the Detroit Pistons, Monroe has bounced around with different teams with the Raptors being the fifth to sign the Louisiana native. The deal is expected to pay $2.2 million this upcoming season.
At 28-years-old, Monroe is not your prototypical NBA centre but still has value especially with Nick Nurse at the helm. One stat that people keep referring that makes the big man worth signing and that’s the 2.3 assists that he’s averaged throughout his career.
With Jakob Poeltl going to the San Antonio Spurs in the Kawhi Leonard trade, the Raptors needed another centre that can come off the bench and provide a different option from Jonas Valunciunas.
As Steven Loung of Sportsnet writes, Monroe is not the best defender which limits his usage in defensive situations but does enough on the glass to be a contributor, especially on offence. At the price that the Raptors are getting Monroe at, it is a worthwhile addition especially for someone that knows the Raptors team from his time with Boston.
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Having Pascal Siakam able play centre when teams roll out smaller lineups allows the Raptors to protect Monroe and Valunciunas who are less athletic. At the same time, Nurse is probably more willing to use his big man to be the instigators of the team’s offence rather than let it all fall on players like Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard.
Considering how Chris Boucher is not as proven as Monroe, it is hard not to like this signing even though Monroe doesn’t have every tool in the toolbox that modern centres are being asked to provide. It will take some creativity from Nurse to get everything the Raptors will need out of Monroe offensively but at least the team is addressing a need to provide depth in the paint.
Next. Getting to know new signing Jordan Loyd. dark
What do you think of the Monroe signing? How should the Raptors try to use him in the lineup? Let us know in the comments below.