After trading Ricky Rubio to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2018 first-round pick, the move to grab a starting point guard was an obvious one for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jeff Teague joins the Wolves after a transition season in Indiana, preceded by seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. While the Pacers season was underwhelming compared to the summer hopes, Teague had a solid year, averaging 15.3 points and 7.8 assists through 82 starts. This was also the sixth time in a row he has averaged double digits scoring and the fourth consecutive year he has averaged 15 points or better through the season.

Now headed to the Wolves, Teague offers a lot to a roster jam-packed with young talent:

1. He is a pass-first point guard who commonly makes plays in the paint. On a roster with Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, a point guard that gives up shots is just fine.
2. He is an underrated shooter. He has shot 35, 40 and 34 percent from deep over the last three season. Nothing Hall Of Fame-worthy, but he will not be lobbing up open bricks either, which will keep a defense honest.
3.  He will not be a liability on defense. He is a quick guard who can stay on a body and will play tough all game long. Butler is the obvious defensive bar for the team, but Teague will not be sitting out quarters or games on that end.

Right away the upside is noticeable in the upgrade at guard. Teague is an NBA All-Star who can come in and make this roster better right away, while grinding through a Thibs season.

Listen to Colton Every Week on the Cold Omaha Staff Pod!

Colton Molesky

Molesky is currently a student at Minnesota State University of Mankato. He loves writing and talking about basketball and football and how to bet on them. He's a former football stud as well as a current Madden and pickup basketball pro. Thankfully, he already married his better half.

All Articles