NBA Trade Rumors: Toronto Raptors To Trade For Greg Monroe Or Nerlens Noel
It is highly likely that the Milwaukee Bucks are going to trade Greg Monroe. Will the Toronto Raptors become Monroe’s new team? According to a couple of NBA trade rumors, the Raptors want to add a big man in the worst way. Greg Monroe has emerged as one of the Raptors’ top targets, along with Philadelphia 76ers‘ forward Nerlens Noel.
According to Sportsrageous, the Toronto Raptors are interested in making a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for Greg Monroe. It is possible that the Raptors believe that Monroe is the missing piece to an NBA championship puzzle. They could possibly even get Monroe at somewhat of a bargain.
Catching up with the Cleveland Cavaliers is what the Raptors would like to do. Guard-play is not an issue for Toronto. They have a backcourt duo with NBA All-Star and Olympic credentials to throw at LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. How do the Raptors counter the Cavaliers’ size?
Jonas Valanciunas is a solid NBA center, but the Raptors could use an upgrade at power forward. That is, if they want to elevate past LeBron and company.
So far the Raptors have been part of few NBA trade rumors since the offseason. Some of the NBA trade rumors have included the Raptors being in on DeMarcus Cousins, Taj Gibson, and now Greg Monroe and Nerlens Noel.
Both Monroe and Noel are quality players at their positions, who are regarded as players just below All-Star level contributors. Each does something a little bit different.
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Greg Monroe is more of an offensive-minded forward than Nerlens Noel. He can use his feet on the defensive end a little bit better, but Monroe is a starter on most teams. He would become a starter for the Raptors, as an upgrade over Patrick Patterson.
As for Nerlens Noel, he is a defensive specialist, one that is rarely found in the NBA. The category which Noel immediately falls into is that of the elite defenders in the league. Noel belongs with the likes of Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan — frontcourt players who affect a game without having to score a basket. His uniqueness makes him stand out.
If the Toronto Raptors are to trade for a starting frontcourt player it will be costly. How much depends on which team they decide to negotiate a deal with.
Which big man will be traded first?: DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe or Nerlens Noel
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It is an open fact that the Milwaukee Bucks want to trade Greg Monroe. The Bucks want to shed his contract in some way. Monroe is in the second year of a $50 million deal he signed with the Bucks.
According to the Times-Picayune, Monroe has been on the NBA trade block for quite some time. Nothing has been revealed about the Bucks’ asking price. He has not been traded, so it is obvious that nothing has blown them away yet. That could mean that the Raptors can make an offer that the Bucks deem doable.
As for the Philadelphia 76ers, they want a lot in return for Nerlens Noel. The fact that he is in the last season of his rookie contract hurts their cause, but there is some form of solace if the Raptors and 76ers choose to deal.
The NBA has some strict rules in place regarding players salaries will not be a hindrance helps. Teams normally have to match contracts within 25 percent. Since the 76ers are below the salary cap, they can absorb a large contract. That will be helpful if they deal with the Raptors, who are over the cap.
There are two feasible trades the Toronto Raptors can make. One with the Milwaukee Bucks, the other with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In the first trade between the Raptors and Bucks, Toronto could send point guard Cory Joseph, small forward Terrence Ross, and a backup center. The Bucks would give the Raptors Greg Monroe and a second round pick.
This is a trade that would slightly weaken the Raptors’ bench but would give them the starter that they need to compete with the Cavaliers. Milwaukee, in turn, gets Ross, who could essentially replace the injured Khris Middleton. Getting back Joseph from the Raptors gives the Bucks another true point guard to lessen the load of Giannis Antetokounmpo. It is a win for both teams.
The other trade would be for the Raptors to send Cory Joseph, Lucas Nogueira, and a future first round selection for the 76ers’ Nerlens Noel.
Joseph goes to a team without a natural point guard, thus he will have the chance to start with the 76ers. His defensive capabilities, along with being a pick-and-roll initiator would also come in handy with Joel Embiid. The 76ers would also be getting a developmental center from the Raptors to replace the loss of Nerlens Noel.
As for the Raptors, they receive a fearsome rim-protector, who can add about 10-14 points a game. Such a move to get Noel would allow the Raptors to push Patrick Patterson to the second unit, where he can help with scoring and defense.
It is not a guarantee that the Raptors will add Greg Monroe or Nerlens Noel, because it takes two teams to make a trade. If the Raptors are wise, they will wait out the process to see if the asking price comes down, or someone else becomes available. In the meantime, expect more NBA trade rumors to come out regarding the Toronto Raptors and their search for a starter at power forward.
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