Pistons' Greg Monroe denies report he is close to 'done deal' with Knicks

Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe denied a report from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News that he is close to a deal with the New York Knicks.

Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe denied a report from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News that he is close to a deal with the New York Knicks. 

Isola quoted one anonymous league executive as saying an agreement between Monroe and the Knicks is "about as close to a done deal as you can get."

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"I haven't discussed anything with anybody," Monroe told reporters Sunday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "My agent hasn't discussed anything with anyone. ... This same stuff happened this summer when stuff was coming out. These sources keep on popping up. Whoever they are I'd like to meet them."

[daily_cut.NBA]Any agreement reached between the Knicks and Monroe before the July 1 start of free agency would be a violation of the NBA's tampering rules. 

Monroe signed a one-year qualifying offer with the Pistons as a restricted free agent last summer. He is averaging a career-high 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. 

Knicks president Phil Jackson has a long relationship with Monroe's agent, David Falk, Isola notes. Falk represented Michael Jordan, who played for Jackson with the Chicago Bulls. 

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The Knicks are widely expected to focus on improving their frontcourt during the off-season. They are said to be interested in drafting Duke center Jahlil Okafor or Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Knicks bought out forward Amar'e Stoudemire's contract in February and waived center Samuel Dalembert in January. 

- Dan Gartland