NBA Trade Rumors: Greg Monroe To Portland? Blazers Could Form All-Star Tandem At Center But Fan Favorite Robin Lopez Has To Go!

The NBA Trade Rumors is filling up with different names. The top two restricted free agents are at a stalemate with their respective teams. Greg Monroe's only hope would be a sign-and-trade.

That's because unlike Eric Bledsoe, Monroe really wants to leave the Detroit Pistons unless the conundrum at the frontline is solved. Monroe is already a converted power forward (he's more suited at center) when Andre Drummond came, so the arrival of power forward Josh Smith really blew things up.

Monroe feels that he will be undervalued at Detroit and also by other teams unless he can have proper exposure.

Enter the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers, as a team were content with their performance last season. They were not very active this off-season and that seemed fine with them. Robin Lopez turned out to be a very dependable defensive center alongside LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard became a legitimate alpha point guard. Their young support guys also played well.

While there is the idea of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' the Western Conference does not really allow any team to be complacent.

From Rip City Project, a Portland Trail Blazers blog, came this statement from Portland GM Neil Olshey:

"Look, I think Terry [Stotts] and I are both really comfortable with where the roster is right now-it doesn't mean that we're not going to explore opportunities to upgrade other areas if they come up."

The Pistons conundrum presents a unique opportunity that the Blazers could jump into. The hypothetical trade proposal:

"The Trail Blazers could offer Robin Lopez, Thomas Robinson, and Dorell Wright for Monroe."

The problem with the Pistons is that all three frontline stars want to start, and of course, be paid big money. Greg Monroe has a powerful agent and he wants the max for his client along with the room to showcase his wares. This trade will deepen the Pistons rotation and solve that dilemma.

Portland will sacrifice depth at the frontline but they already signed Chris Kaman to back up their starting center. Greg Monroe would be a significant upgrade over Lopez offensively giving the Blazers a twin low post attack. Monroe is also an excellent passer.

This trade should actually happen, but will both parties work on the finer details? Stay tuned.