Lakers lose out again as Greg Monroe picks Milwaukee Bucks
Greg Monroe averaged 15.9 points with 10.2 rebounds per game for the Detroit Pistons in 2014-15.
The Lakers lost out on another big man Thursday when free agent center Greg Monroe agreed to join the Milwaukee Bucks.
Monroe and the team reportedly agreed on a three-year deal worth $50 million, with a player option in the final year. Monroe can’t officially sign with the Bucks until July 9.
The Lakers met with Monroe on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., before returning to Los Angeles to meet with DeAndre Jordan.
With LaMarcus Aldridge no longer considering the Lakers and Kevin Love headed back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the only center of note left to pursue — aside from Jordan, who is meeting with both the New York Knicks and Clippers Thursday — is former Portland Trail Blazer Robin Lopez.
Omer Asik has reportedly agreed to return to the New Orleans Pelicans on a five-year deal worth $60 million.
The Lakers were all in on recruiting Aldridge, but their basketball presentation fell flat and no longer are contenders for the four-time NBA All-Star’s talents. The San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns, along with the Portland Trail Blazers, appear to be the most likely to land Aldridge, though he still has more meetings with potential suitors.
Beyond that, the Lakers could seek to bring back Jordan Hill or Ed Davis. The Lakers didn’t exercise Hill’s $9-million option to clear salary-cap space for Aldridge, and Davis opted out of the final year of his contract to look for a bigger payday.
Davis has reportedly agreed with the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year contract worth $20 million. So he’s out now too.
Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme
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