Jeff Teague is heading back to Atlanta, according to ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The veteran point guard is moving from Minnesota back to the team that originally drafted him. The trade involves Teague going to Atlanta with guard Treveon Graham and guard Allen Crabbe heading to the Timberwolves.
Atlanta has traded guard Allen Crabbe to Minnesota for PG Jeff Teague and Treveon Graham, league sources tell ESPN. Hawks get a backup for Trae Young.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2020
In 34 games this season, Teague is averaging 13.2 points per game, 6.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds. He’s made 13 starts but is down less than 30 minutes per game.
Teague started his career in Atlanta, being drafted in the first round by the Hawks out of Wake Forest. He played seven seasons there and was part of the franchise’s most relevant playoff run of late. Teague made the only All-Star appearance of his career while a member of the Hawks in 2015.
At 6-foot-3, Teague could slide over and play off the ball beside budding star Trae Young. The Hawks have the Eastern Conference’s worst record at 9-32, and this move could be a prelude to more trades. The deal nets them a veteran presence for the bench and someone to help Young’s development.
Graham has been something of a journeyman to start his career, and the Hawks will be his fourth team in four years. He started his career with the Charlotte Hornets, then moved on to the Brooklyn Nets and ultimately the Timberwolves. Graham is averaging 20.1 minutes per game this season and scoring 5.2 points per game. He’s not a great shooter, though, netting only 24.1 percent of his three-point attempts.
The Hawks could also look to move the expiring contracts of Chandler Parsons and Evan Turner. Teague and Graham can be dealt again before the deadline.
For Minnesota, they land a solid three-point shooter and perimeter defender in Allen Crabbe.
Crabbe fits the typical three-and-D mold. He should help space the floor for Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. He makes 32.3 percent of his threes and this season, he’s averaging 5.1 points per game, with 2.3 rebounds and one assist per game, as well. The seven-year veteran has also played in Portland and Brooklyn during his career.
Teague had fallen out of favor in Minnesota this season. Shabazz Napier has assumed the starting point guard role, and this trade ultimately frees up a roster spot for the Timberwolves to play with.
This gives the team a measure of flexibility should they elect to make another trade before the deadline. Crabbe’s $18.5 million will come off the books this offseason.
