Greg Monroe is signing with another Eastern Conference contender. After previously suiting up for the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics this season, the veteran big man is on the verge of signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, per ESPN's Jordan Schultz. To make room for Monroe, the team will reportedly waive reserve big man Justin Patton, who's played just three games for the Sixers since being acquired last November in the Jimmy Butler trade.
Veteran center Greg Monroe plans to sign with the #76ers tomorrow, a league source tells ESPN. Philadelphia will waive center Justin Patton and Monroe will then sign.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 3, 2019
A nine-year veteran, Monroe signed a single-season deal with the Toronto Raptors last August. He was dealt with a 2021 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for cash at the trade deadline, a deal that saved Toronto nearly $2 million in luxury tax payments. Monroe was immediately waived by Brooklyn upon completion of the trade. He averaged 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per game over 38 appearances with Toronto, two of which were spot starts.
On March 22nd, Monroe signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics, the team with which he finished the 2017-18 season. He appeared in just two games for Brad Stevens' club before his contract expired, notching four total minutes of playing time despite Boston suffering from multiple injuries up front.
The nine-year veteran stands to have a better chance of cracking the Sixers' rotation than he ever did the Celtics'. Despite the undeniable production of backup behemoth Boban Marjanovic, who came to town with Tobias Harris in a February trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, his brief time in Philadelphia has made it abundantly clear that it will be difficult, if not impossible, for coach Brett Brown to play him in the postseason.
Monroe certainly isn't known for his mobility, but is nevertheless significantly quicker than Marjanovic defensively and a good fit for the Sixers' offense, which asks its big men to do a lot of ball handling and passing on the perimeter. Should Monroe remain with Philadelphia for the playoffs, expect him to split time backing up Joel Embiid with rookie Jonah Bolden depending on matchups.
In 40 total appearances this season, Monroe is averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game.
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