Sources: Free agent Greg Monroe to sign $50 million max deal with Bucks

Free agent Greg Monroe will sign a three-year, $50 million maximum contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The deal will include a player option after the second season in 2016-17, sources said.

One of the most sought after big men of July free agency, Monroe plans to join a young core of talent with the Bucks, who made a strong commitment to Monroe. Nevertheless, Milwaukee beating out the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks for a significant free agent is a major coup for the franchise.

[Related: 2015 NBA free-agency tracker | Latest from Woj]

Monroe, 25, will anchor a talented lineup that includes promising young stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton for coach Jason Kidd.

Monroe, a 6-foot-11 forward/center, spent five seasons with the Detroit Pistons and averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds last season. Monroe signed a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent with Detroit a year ago, allowing himself to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Monroe wants to make the playoffs for the first time in his career and choosing the Bucks almost assures him of that opportunity. He had looked closely at the Portland Trail Blazers, but Monroe understood that 45-47 wins in the Western Conference still might not get him into the postseason.

Monroe will make $15.8 million in 2015-16, $16.5 million in 2016-17 and hold a player option for $17.2 million in 2017-18. Monroe can exercise that option in 2017 to re-enter free agency.

Monroe was the seventh overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by Detroit.

The Bucks can't officially sign Monroe until July 9 when the NBA's free-agent moratorium ends.