Greg Monroe is signing with the Boston Celtics, according to multiple reports. Monroe, 27, reached a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns earlier this week and was free to sign with any team of his choosing.
Several teams were interested in acquiring Monroe, who averaged 11.3 points and 8 rebounds in 20 games with Phoenix this season, but he chose to go with the East-leading Boston Celtics who offered a one-year deal worth $5 million.
The New Orleans Pelicans were among those teams looking to add Monroe to their roster, and offered him the chance to be their starting center, but were only able to offer $2.2 million, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
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Woj notes that the Celtics were ultimately able to offer him more money "based upon carving up $5M out of its $8.4 million Disabled Player Exception awarded with the season-ending injury to Gordon Hayward."
The Celtics, 37-15, are currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference, two games better than the second place Toronto Raptors. Boston will host the Atlanta Hawks tonight, followed by a 12pm game against the Blazers on Super Bowl Sunday, giving New Englanders the chance to watch the C's before Tom Brady and the Pats take the field in Super Bowl LII.
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