Veteran center Greg Monroe hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since the 2019 postseason, having played in Germany and Russia during the last two seasons. However, during an appearance on The Ringer’s Real Ones podcast with Raja Bell and Logan Murdock, Monroe said he has been working out in Miami for the past couple months in the hopes of earning another NBA opportunity.
“Obviously the last couple years I’ve been playing overseas. I’ve been watching the playoffs and not being a part of it, but right now I definitely am focused on trying to get on a team and make a run” Monroe said. “I’ve been focusing on the work. That’s what I can control.”
Monroe’s contract with BC Khimki in Moscow was terminated in January, with the team citing his “personal circumstances” as the reason for the move. Speaking to Bell and Murdock, the 30-year-old referenced “some difficulties on the business side” leading to the end of his stint in Russia.
In 2019-20, Monroe suited up for German team Bayern Munich. His last stint in the NBA came in ’18-19, when he spent time with a handful of Atlantic teams. Monroe started the season with Toronto and was traded to Brooklyn at the deadline. After being waived by the Nets, he signed a 10-day contract with Boston and eventually reached a rest-of-season deal with the Sixers. For the season, he averaged 5.3 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 43 games (11.2 MPG).
Monroe is more of a traditional low-post center who isn’t an outside threat on offense and has struggled when tasked with defending pick-and-rolls or switching onto perimeter players. He told Bell and Murdock during his Real Ones appearance that he has made an effort to modernize his game, adding that he can bring a handful of useful traits to an NBA team, including toughness, rebounding, leadership and plenty of experience.
“I’m ready to come in and whatever role is there for me, I’m ready to accept it,” Monroe said. “I know what I bring to a team. I know the skills, the versatility that I bring. It’s just about getting an opportunity to showcase that, to show that my game has evolved and I’ve been working on my game to change it to fit more of the style now.”
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