Discard any overarching opinions that you developed about Greg Monroe over the past three months. The Phoenix Suns never wanted him. For Phoenix GM and Massachusetts native Ryan McDonough, Monroe was only acquired for his $17.8 million salary—a financially necessary means to achieve an end, i.e. matching Eric Bledsoe’s contract while acquiring Milwaukee’s draft pick in the process.
Phoenix’s big man rotation was already set, and Monroe’s presence wasn’t going to interfere with long-term development. Alex Len is in the midst of a one-year bridge deal while he auditions for a long-term extension.