Is Greg Monroe The Lakers Next Big Man?

Can Monroe and Julius Randle co-exist?

Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) shoots over Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Pairing Monroe next to Julius Randle  in the front court could work, or backfire. The Lakers could take the chance, but the two are more likely to clash because they play a similar style. Randle is a tenacious rebounder and low post scorer, who could also space the floor with a 15-20 range. He obviously loves the post and having a big man like Monroe in the post as well could derail his development.

Monroe is the traditional big man who works the paint scoring and rebounding. His post moves are finely tuned, but could be better with the right development. He has the ability to be a shot blocker down low, but can’t run the floor in an up-tempo offense. That is the problem that the Pistons had last year with Monroe. Andre Drummond and Josh Smith can run the floor but their style of play doesn’t mesh well with Monroe, who needs the ball down low in order to be effective. Though Monroe is double-listed as a power forward, he and Drummond occupy the same space on the floor. That is probably the biggest reason why he’s not a good fit in Detroit at this point.

The half-court game is more suited for Monroe, while Randle can play either style. It’s a toss-up pairing these two, but if Randle could develop into a stretch 4, while Monroe mans the post, the Lakers could be extremely deadly with both big men.