Big man Greg Monroe will reportedly accept a $5.5 million qualifying offer with the Detroit Pistons for the 2014-15 campaign and will now become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Monroe, 24, declined to sign an offer sheet with another team or sign a multiyear deal with Detroit according to USA Today. Monroe, the number seven pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, opted to wait a year to get more money and a long-term deal.
Monroe’s qualifying offer has a clause that requires his consent for a trade.
Monroe flipped the script on the traditional restricted free agency route. He is betting on himself to continue his development after several sign and trade possibilities fell through.
Monroe was reportedly offered a four-year contract worth slightly over $54 million. Monroe responded on Twitter to debunk the rumors by saying “can’t reject anything that was not offered to me.”
Monroe averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest last season as the Pistons went a lackluster 29-53 according to Sports Illustrated.