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I have to say I am a little surprised at the timing of this move. The trade deadline is only a week away and generally buyouts are for guys you couldn’t trade, or even include as a throw-in.
But as of this evening, broken by John Gambadoro himself, the Phoenix Suns have completed a buyout of center Greg Monroe. Gambo had it first.
Suns center Greg Monroe not in the building tonight - buyout could be coming.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 1, 2018
Gambo also says Monroe has three teams interested in him right now, and will likely have picked a new team by tomorrow.
Look for New Orleans, Milwaukee and Boston to have interest in Greg Monroe.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 1, 2018
But why tonight?
Maybe just to facilitate Monroe finding that team before they have to give up an asset to get a similar player in trade over the next week. This way, Monroe has a better shot at making a team that will give him a real rotation spot.
Anyway, no more Monroe.
The Suns have lost 10 of the last 12 games in which Monroe has played any minutes, and 10 of the last 11 in which he started the game.
They are 9-7 in the last 16 games he has NOT played.
Chew on that.