With Greg Monroe signing a one-year qualifying offer purposely to become an unrestricted free-agent next season, the Detroit Pistons are expected to make a hard push in shopping him before the trade window expires in February.

Monroe, who averaged 13 points and 9 rebounds per game in four seasons in Motor City, might not stay long with the Pistons as sources indicated the big man is not any more interested to play for the rebuilding squad.

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The Pistons tried hard to lock in Monroe by offering first a four-year, $48 million deal and then five-year, $60 million contract. However, Monroe's camp wanted a max deal worth roughly $82 million over five-years - something Pistons basketball operations chief and head coach Stan Van Gundy doesn't want to give.

According to sources, the Pistons attempted to deal Monroe to the Portland Trail Blazers but negotiations never gained tractions because Van Gundy reportedly wanted to get some of the young players from the Blazers.

"Monroe has wanted out of Detroit, where he was drafted in 2010, and he'll get his wish next summer," Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski stated in his report.

"Pistons president and coach Stan Van Gundy had been unwilling to pay Monroe as one of the NBA's top forwards, and several attempts at sign-and-trade scenarios - including lengthy discussions with Portland, sources said - proved fruitless."

Basketball Insiders reporter believed the Los Angeles Lakers, with the financial flexibility they are going to have next summer, can certainly make a run for Monroe or perhaps another disgruntled free-agent in Eric Bledsoe.

"What are the odds next year Bledsode and Monroe both head to Lakers? ---> Lakers could have the means," Kyler said during Q&A chat session on Basketball Insiders.

Although the Pistons can still work things out with Monroe by unloading Josh Smith, the franchise is reportedly confident they can find a solid replacement for the big man because of they are very much under the salary cap threshold.

"The Pistons have been unafraid of losing Monroe for nothing next summer, believing the savings in salary-cap space has value to the remaking of the roster."

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