Impending Pistons free-agent center Greg Monroe, hours before possibly playing his final game in a Detroit uniform, gave strong praise to Phil Jackson, saying the Knicks team president knows how to build a winner.
Monroe, in echoing his agent’s remarks, said he will meet with Jackson on July 1 if he so desires.
Monroe made his comments just 5 yards away from where Pistons coach/general manager Stan Van Gundy was talking about his offseason strategy. Though Monroe said he could see himself back in Detroit, his agent, David Falk, in a 25-minute interview with The Post on Tuesday, didn’t give many signs the Pistons were a priority.
“Everybody senses how great he’s been in the past coaching, with the rings,’’ Monroe said of Jackson after the morning shootaround at the Garden.
“Guys know he obviously knows what it takes to win. He’s Phil Jackson. Anybody with as much success as he has, it’s not hard to be comfortable with decisions they make. He’s been where everyone dreams about going who’s playing in this league. Championship teams, he knows and understands what it takes to win.’’
Falk said Monroe, who had 10 points, four steals and two rebounds in 21 minutes of the Pistons’ 112-90 win at the Garden Wednesday night, could make his decision within “24 to 48 hours” of the start of the free-agency period, claiming he won’t do a tour, just meet with select teams. The Knicks have strong interest, as they don’t have a big man under contract for next season. Monroe plays a low-post style perfect for the triangle offense.
“Obviously, I won’t get all the fanfare some of the free agents might get,’’ Monroe said. “I’ll meet with those people. Whoever’s interested. I’ll go from there. I don’t see why it would be prolonged. He’s probably right in that regard. But you never know what’s going to happen. I might even take some time to think about it. But it’s not going to be prolonged by any stretch.’’
Monroe could command a maximum salary, between $14 million and $15 million to start. Jackson will have $26 million of cap space after his draft pick is signed. He wants to haul in three free agents.
“If they’re interested, I’m going to [meet with them],’’ Monroe said. “It hasn’t crossed my mind. All those things you guys want, I can’t tell you that. I don’t have problems with him. I haven’t met him. I had no reason to meet him before this. When I talk to him, I’ll talk to him.’’
Monroe signed a one-year qualifying offer at $5.5 million last summer, turning down a long-term overture from Detroit, so he could be an unrestricted free agent this summer with the Pistons not having the financial capability to match. It doesn’t sound as if the Pistons are part of his future, especially with Falk saying the extra year Detroit can offer is not a factor.
“I was very conscious of the decision I was making,’’ Monroe said. “I understood everything about it. I’m happy with the decision I made.’’
Can he still see himself in Detroit?
“Yeah, I’ve been here, different things have happened, a lot has changed in my time here,’’ said Monroe, in his fifth season. “I can see myself here.’’
Monroe said he will sit with his agent to go over the interested parties.
“Yeah. Obviously it’s a process I have to go through,’’ Monroe said. “Like he said, when it’s time for that, we’ll handle it accordingly.’’
Monroe repeatedly said he has given very little thought to his options and was commended by Van Gundy for remaining true to the season.
“I don’t have a sense,’’ Van Gundy said. “He has handled this year tremendously well. He has maintained his focus on us and our season. I’m sure he’s given thought to the free-agency thing but out of respect for him and for what we’re trying to do, he and I haven’t discussed that issue. I have no idea where that stands. He’s been very, very professional about the thing. Greg’s a very good player and type of person you want in your organization.’’