Miles Plumlee is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and the Bucks center expressed his desire to stay in Milwaukee for the long term amidst speculations that starting center Greg Monroe is going to be traded in the offseason.

ESPN reported that the 27-year-old former NCAA champion "would prefer to re-sign with the Bucks" after his contract expires in July 1. He acknowledged, though, that it will be up to his agent where he will end up in the summer, but his hope is he will return to play for the Bucks next season.

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"I leave all the strategy up to my agent," said Plumlee. "My whole job I focused on was playing well and putting myself in a good position. I've made it very clear. I've got a great relationship with everyone on the team: (general manager John) Hammond, Jason Kidd. It's a great place. So we'll just wait and see what happens."

The former Duke standout has played in limited minutes this season, particularly as the main backup of Monroe in Kidd's rotation.

He was actually third in line at the center spot until 25-year-old big man John Henson was sidelined by a back injury in January when he eventually became the lead substitute for the former Detroit center.

Plumlee finished the regular season with averages of only 5.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in only 14.3 minutes per game in 61 games for the Bucks. He shot a franchise-high 60.1 percent from the field, though, which could be a good sign for team officials to retain him.

Meanwhile, rumors abound that Monroe could be shipped out of Milwaukee in the summer as the big man allegedly did not meet team expectations during the regular season.

The Journal Times reported in February that former Georgetown Hoya "is available at the right price" before the trade deadline and the Bucks could continue to shop him in the offseason.

Monroe was just signed to a three-year, $50 million contract last summer and although he contributed solid stats of 15.3 points, 8.8 boards, and 2.3 assists per game, the Bucks became a lot worse this year than last year, being eliminated from the postseason and finishing at the 12th spot in the Eastern Conference with a 33-49 record.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Milwaukee Bucks, Miles Plumlee, greg monroe, Bucks trade rumors, Bucks trade rumors 2016