Raptors Interested in Signing Greg Monroe

The Toronto Raptors are looking to add frontcourt depth and free agent big man Greg Monroe could fit the bill.

According to a report from Josh Lewenberg of TSN, the Raptors are interested in signing Monroe for one of their remaining roster spots.

After trading away center Jacob Poetl—who played in all 82 regular-season games and nine of 10 playoff contests—in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster deal, the Raptors covet another big man on the roster. The Raptors have 13 players on guaranteed or partially-guaranteed contracts and are looking to fill the 14th spot with a frontcourt player.

Monroe could give the Raptors depth at center and power forward. The 28-year-old began last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, before he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in November. He was waived by Phoenix after 20 games, before ultimately signing with the Boston Celtics. He averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26 games for Boston, but fell out of the rotation in the postseason.

Greg Monroe is a free agent option for Toronto. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

The Celtics have shown no interest in retaining Monroe. They are fully stocked at center with Aron Baynes re-signing, Daniel Theis returning for a second season, in addition to selecting Robert Williams in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Monroe is a talented scorer and rebounder with underrated passing skills, but he does not provide a defensive presence in the middle. He especially struggles when defending the pick-and-roll.

Still, he would be worth taking a flier on if he agrees to a veteran’s minimum contract. If Monroe wants more money, he will likely end up elsewhere as the Raptors are unlikely to use the smaller mid-level exception ($5.3 million) to sign him as they are already projected to pay a hefty luxury tax bill, according to Lewenberg.