The rough offseason for the Knicks and Lakers just got rougher as one of the top targets on the free-agent market, 6-11 power forward Greg Monroe, is reportedly signing three-year contract with the Bucks, according to Yahoo Sports.
Monroe reportedly entered the offseason expect to sign with the Knicks, whose roster around Carmelo Anthony looks moribund after a 17-65 season ended with landing the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Instead, 25-year-old Monroe will join a talented young roster in Milwaukee alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams, Jabari Parker and recently re-signed Khris Middleton.
His three-year contract, which includes a player option for the third, will pay about $49.2 million and allow him to hit free agency again in 2017, when the market is expected to be overflowing with salary cap space. Monroe is betting on himself again after taking a qualifying offer last offseason to hit unrestricted free agency this year.
The Lakers, who failed to impress LaMarcus Aldridge earlier in the week, also met with Monroe.
Monroe, the seventh overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2010, averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season.