The Phoenix Suns picked up one of the best backup big men in the league when they traded for Greg Monroe days ago.
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According to some reports, the Suns are also interested in trading for one of the league's young (if unused) big men in Jahlil Okafor. Pair those notions with a roster that already includes veteran Tyson Chandler and youngster Alex Len and there's not much playing time to be had.
Monroe had his first workout with the Suns yesterday and knows he could very well wind up playing the rest of the season in Phoenix -- or be bought out or traded elsewhere, too. With all that in mind, Monroe is keeping a realistic view about what will happen next in his career. Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic has more:
Monroe said he and his agent, David Falk, have talked to McDonough but that the conversation was mostly about his health. Monroe is nursing a calf strain but said he should be 100 percent within a week.
“I just told them I understand the plan they have in place and how they want to approach the season,” said the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Monroe, who averaged 6.8 points and five rebounds a game for the Bucks. “I told them, ‘If you want me to play I’ll always play. I’ll never be one not to want to play. If not we’ll just work together and find the best option for everyone.’ But I’m more than happy to play here.”
Monroe said he was blindsided by the trade and admitted it’s “weird” to get dealt to a team that might never put him on the floor.
“But it’s what we signed up for,” he said. “It can happen to anyone at any moment. My job is to play. That’s what I focus on, and that’s really it. I was surprised, though. I was just trying to get healthy, get back on the floor and help that team (Milwaukee). Now that I’m here I’ll do the same here and if it’s somewhere else I’ll do the same there. My focus doesn’t change.”
