After making the playoffs in each of his first nine NBA seasons, Jeff Teague‘s teams in Minnesota and Atlanta have fallen short of the postseason during the last two years. He’s hoping to reverse that trend in 2021, telling Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that he’ll be looking to join a winning team as a free agent this fall.
“Honestly, I just want to go to a team where we’re playing to win. I want to win,” Teague said. “… If that’s starting or coming off the bench, I just want to play a significant role in winning. That’s really it for me. I know if I get a chance to play and compete, I’m going to play well. I’m not really worried about an exact situation, or I need to be able to start or whatever.”
Although the Timberwolves didn’t enter last season expecting to tank, the club had fallen to 10 games below .500 and was pivoting to player development by the time it traded Teague to the Hawks. In Atlanta, the veteran point guard joined a 9-32 team that was no closer to entering the playoff picture. Having spent this past season with a pair of rebuilding clubs, Teague isn’t looking to repeat that situation in ’20/21.
“I don’t want to go to a team where we’re trying to build for the draft,” Teague said. “I don’t want to do that.”
The 32-year-old, who averaged 10.9 PPG and 5.2 APG in 59 total games (24.8 MPG) in 2019/20, shouldn’t have to reduce his list of potential destinations too significantly by focusing on teams looking to win.
Many of this year’s 14 lottery teams are either veteran-led clubs hoping to bounce back after injury-plagued seasons – such as the Warriors or Wizards – or are young teams that will be pushing to make it back to the playoffs, like the Suns, Pelicans, and Hawks. Speaking to Scotto, Teague suggested he won’t be opposed to joining a younger roster as long as the team is prioritizing winning over rebuilding.
“I get along with all the young guys. Me and the young guys have strong relationships on most of the teams I’ve played on,” Teague said. “I like to take them under my wing and try to be a leader to them.”
Every player should want to win but not every player can be a part of about 6 teams that actually have a chance at a championship.
Lakers likely if Rondo leaves
That means he’s signing for the Knicks.
Warriors need a backup point guard and in a small ball lineup he’d play Big minutes. Warriors have that taxpayer exception or mid-level exception or whatever it is.. five or six million dollars. Do a one-year deal.
Lakers makes sense.
Teague is a solid defender at the 1, can facilitate an offence and shoot well. Works well with Rondo likely gone, I’d actually say Teague is an upgrade.
Back to Atlanta
Low-risk play for the Bucks?
Regardless of what he wants he would probably end up on a playoff caliber team anyway… just because that’s who would want him. He may not be able to find a starting/close to starting role but I’m sure plenty of contenders would like to have him as a solid role player and veteran leader off their bench.
Idk even bad teams try to improve. Some players would prefer a larger role on a non competitive team.
Yeah, as much as I hate writing these sorts of headlines because it invites a “Who DOESN’T want to win?” response, there are definitely examples of veterans prioritizing larger roles over contending — Vince Carter spent the last few years of his career on lottery teams because he wanted to actually play regular minutes, for instance.
He would be an upgrade for the Lakers.
Lakers. Warriors, celtics … take your pick. Could fill a rondo role with the lakers or come off the bench and play alongside klay, steph or both. Or he could add a vet back up presence off the Cs bench and add much needed depth behind walker, brown and smart at the guards
Raptors could be an option with FVF likely leaving
Clippers!!!!
Lakers or GSW. If he wants to win Nd actually play, Lakers.
6ers