The Pistons could have locked up Monroe with an extension on his rookie contract two years ago but never made an offer.
“I never asked for an explanation and they didn’t have to give me one,” Monroe said in recalling that situation. “It is what it is. We’re all men. We’re all professionals. You’re not really saying much in a situation like that, per se. You kind of get the picture. I’ve obviously dealt with it. I’ve continued to play. I’m past it also. And now I’m in the position I’m in.
“People look at it like, ‘He decided to do something else,’ but at the end of the day, it could have been done prior to this and it probably could have been a different situation.