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NEW YORK –- Detroit Pistons big man and 2015 unrestricted free agent Greg Monroe doesn't want to talk about the specifics of his free agency during the season. But he did say on Wednesday morning that he will be willing to meet with the New York Knicks and president Phil Jackson this summer. “If they’re interested, I’m going to,” Monroe said after the Pistons shootaround at Madison Square Garden. League sources confirm that Monroe will be a top target for the Knicks in free agency. Recent reports have stated that Monroe will be the team’s top priority.  “He will definitely be near the top of the list," one league source with knowledge of the team's thinking said earlier this week.
Monroe, 24, will test free agency this summer after playing this season under a one-year $5.5 million contract. He agreed to the one-year qualifying offer this season instead of signing an extension so he could explore free agency in July. “I was very conscious of the decision I was making," Monroe said. "... I’m happy with the decision." The Knicks are expected to have at least $25 million in cap space, so they will have enough room to make the offer. After the Pistons' shootaround, Monroe was asked his opinion of Phil Jackson in his new role as team president. “He’s Phil Jackson. Anyone who has had as much success as he has … it’s not hard to be comfortable with the decisions they make,” Monroe said. “They (Jackson’s teams) obviously have been where everybody dreams about going when they play in this league. He’s coached many championship teams so obviously he knows and understands what it takes to win.” Monroe stressed that he hasn’t given much thought to his pending free agency. He added that he could see himself re-signing with the Pistons, who will be able to offer him more money annually and a longer contract than other teams. Monroe’s agent, David Falk, though, said in a New York Post report that the extra year and money wouldn’t impact Monroe’s decision. “The extra year is not going to be a factor at his age,’’ Falk told the newspaper. “He’s 24. He’s not 30. He’ll have a couple more contracts.” Detroit president and coach Stan Van Gundy reiterated that he'd like to sign Monroe and restricted free agent Reggie Jackson. "They all have decisions to make," Van Gundy said. ".... Greg’s a very good player and the type of person that you want in your organization, there’s no question about it. Highly professional, classy guy. I'm a big fan." Monroe doesn't envision having a “prolonged” decision-making process this summer. He can meet with teams on July 1. "Obviously, I won’t get all the fanfare that some of the bigger free agents might get, so I’ll meet those people that are interested and I’ll go from there," Monroe said. "I’m gonna talk to whoever wants to talk." Beyond that, Monroe didn’t wish to talk about specifics regarding free agency. He insisted that he's focused on playing the Knicks on Wednesday night, not meeting with Jackson. “All that stuff that you guys want, I can’t tell you that because I haven’t thought about that,” Monroe said. “Obviously I know who (Phil) is, I don’t have any problems with him. I don’t have anything against him, but I haven’t met him. I have no reason to really meet him before this, so when I talk to him, I’ll talk to him.”
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