Depending on the day and the source, the New York Knicks either spurned Greg Monroe in free agency or were burned by him.
On this day, the latter seems more accurate.
Greg Monroe was thought to be one of the Knicks’ top targets over the summer. Many went as far as putting him in a Knicks jersey months before free agency began, believing that the two sides had already reached some sort of understanding. That’s why it was weird when Monroe not only chose to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks but did so before the Knicks were ever hyped-up contenders for his services.
Some thought that meant Robin Lopez was, after DeAndre Jordan and Marc Gasol, their first choice all along. It made sense, after all. The Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis, a 7’3″ monster with a deeper offensive arsenal than Monroe, and Lopez is a stingy rim protector, a true anchor for an above-average defense, something Monroe has never been.
But while some—including myself—have been quick to pat the Knicks on the back for doing their due diligence, it seems that, on some level, they may have been saved from signing Monroe by, well, Monroe.
Per the New York Daily News‘ Stefan Bondy:
Greg Monroe wasn’t pushing the storyline, though: He was reluctant to delve into details about his 2015 free agency, which he now views as irrelevant to the upcoming season. His agent, David Falk, told the News that all four teams that met with Monroe in free agency — including the Knicks, Lakers and Blazers — were offering max deals for any number of years desired. In the end, Falk said, the decision was centered on Milwaukee’s position as an emerging contender in the Eastern Conference.
“It wasn’t about presentation or marketing,” said Falk, the former agent for Michael Jordan, who noted that he has a good relationship with Jackson and Knicks GM Steve Mills. “It was about what Milwaukee already brought to the table.”
“The interest was definitely there (with the Knicks),” Greg Monroe said. “I took an interest in everybody that was willing to meet with me. I don’t like to take anybody’s time for granted. I definitely didn’t take their time for granted. I made a decision based on the things that I was looking for and I wanted.
For those still thinking the Knicks just didn’t offer Monroe the money he wanted, thereby subtly rejecting him, there’s this:
Falk told me they wouldn't have taken a meeting if the Knicks didn't offer the max. https://t.co/AvaxDdEall
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) October 29, 2015
Whatever happened, it really doesn’t matter. The Knicks seem better off for it—they blew out Monroe’s Bucks 122-97 on opening night—and Monroe doesn’t have to compete with Carmelo Anthony and Porzingis for touches in Milwaukee.
Everybody wins.
Except the Bucks.
They lost on Wednesday.
