Agent: Monroe open to re-signing, but it's not that simple

WASHINGTON – Greg Monroe's agent said Saturday night that the pending unrestricted free agent is "absolutely" open to re-signing with the Detroit Pistons.

But Washington-based David Falk was clear at halftime of Saturday night's 99-95 loss to the Wizards that Monroe will explore all options this off-season.

And other factors besides money will weigh in the decision.

"He's going to get the same money wherever he goes," Monroe said to two reporters courtside at the Verizon Center. "I told him that two years ago. All stars get the same amount. It just depends on what the intangibles are.

"Where do you want to move? Who do you want to play with? Who do you want to play with? Is there a coach you want to play for? Do you want to be the star on a rebuilding team or do you want to be a complementary player on a championship team? Those are all intangibles."

Monroe, 24, has been the Pistons' most consistent player in his fifth season, where he is averaging 15.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

A restricted free agent last summer, the Pistons offered to make him the highest-paid player on the team.

But Monroe declined and when a sign-and-trade partner wasn't found, Monroe signed a one-year qualifying offer for $5.4 million to have options this off-season.

"Greg is one of the brightest clients I've ever represented," Falk said. "Very mature, he's very intelligent, very thoughtful, very analytical. I laid out all the options and he decided he wanted to have options.

"Most players would have taken the money. Most agents would have told their clients to take the money."

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the Pistons do have some advantages.

It's true that a max deal for someone like Monroe would guarantee a salary of $16.5 million the first season of the deal no matter where Monroe signs. That's based on a player with Monroe's years of service taking up no more than 25% of the projected $66-million salary cap for next season.

But the Pistons can offer a five-year deal; potential suitors can offer only four years. The Pistons can offer annual 7.5% raises; others can only offer 4.5%.

However, that advantage is negated because players might be reluctant to commit to long-term deals until it is known what effect the infusion of national TV money will have on the cap in future seasons. There are projections the cap could explode to $90 million for the 2016-17 season.

Falk was quick to add that the Pistons have 23 games left and decision day will come this summer. He playfully chided the media for causing most of the speculation. Monroe has been linked with multiple teams the past two seasons. Members of the New York media asked Monroe before Friday's game against the Knicks about joining that team — although Monroe skillfully sidestepped questions.

Falk complimented Stan Van Gundy, who is in his first season as president-coach of the Pistons.

"I think Stan has said some great thing publicly," Falk said. "Greg has said some great things about Stan publicly and Stan's a great coach."

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56 .