Valley of the Suns
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Greg Monroe could help New Orleans Pelicans

By Khaleel Abdullah

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 13: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during game against the Toronto Raptors on December 13, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 13: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during game against the Toronto Raptors on December 13, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A critical injury to a Western Conference foe may be just the thing to jump start a deal that would allow the Phoenix Suns trade Greg Monroe.

Recently DeMarcus Cousins (aka Boogie) went down with a ruptured achilles tendon and will miss the rest of the season – as well as a significant chunk of 2018-19. Boogie is an All-Star center who coupled with Anthony Davis formed one of the most imposing front courts seen in a while. His injury leaves some big shoes to fill. One available big man that could really help the Pelicans is New Orleans native Greg Monroe.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

There is no one available who could truly fill Cousin’s shoes. He’s having a career year, was keeping his head in the game, and truly having fun out there. You have to feel for him with an injury like this, at a time like this, especially with his free agency looming.

Jrue Holiday, Darius Miller and Davis will help make up for his 3-point shooting. Davis will have to be even more of a force in both rebounding and blocking shots. The biggest voids will be things like his post scoring and passing. Other than Davis, there aren’t many players with that skill on the Pelicans’ roster at the moment, heck, there aren’t many players in the league  who can do what Davis does.

Enter Greg Monroe (aka Moose). At 6’7″ and 265 pounds he is a similar height and build to Cousins. That helps size-wise in allowing the team to continue their same game plan that has been working so well and has them en route to a playoff berth.

Moose was born in Harvey, LA which is about a 13 minute drive from New Orleans. What a better new home in the league than one he’s used to? Also, for the Pelicans, who better to help the morale of the team and fans than a hometown guy?

Yes, Monroe’s minutes have gone down over the last couple seasons, but his game is still there.

In 22 minutes per game this season, he has posted 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds and 59.1% from the field. That’s 16.9 points and 12.6 rebounds per 36 minutes.

In the 11 games this season where he played at least 25 minutes, he has made 65 percent of his attempts and averaged 15 points and 10.6 rebounds. In 239 games throughout his career as a starting center he has a line of 15.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per match.

This shows consistency to the tune of about 15 points and 10 rebounds nightly. Where else are you going to find that without giving up too much?

The Deal

It is hard to find a simple two-way swap that would make sense for both the Suns and Pelicans. It would most likely need to be a three-team trade but could be something like the following.

The Pelicans get their man. The Cavs get a guard in Moore that is shooting 43.1% from downtown and averaging over 12 points per game this season, as well as a veteran backup point guard. The Suns can waive Frye and buyout Ajinca, because they do this for the draft compensation.

Next: The Phoenix Suns need to review options at point guard

For the Phoenix Suns, Monroe’s a third center that has been playing spot minutes sharing the center position with Tyson Chandler and Alex Len. This gives the Len more playing time and Phoenix adds another first round draft pick. That’s quite a consolation prize for helping two other teams.

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