Positional Power Rankings: 30 best point guards in the NBA
By Connor Learn
Jeff Teague
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On the other side of the Atlanta-Utah-Indiana trade was the Pacers acquiring former All-Star Jeff Teague. He had been the second-leading scorer on the 60-win Hawks team from 2014-15 that earned the East’s number one seed. The Hawks wanted to go a different direction at the point guard position, but that shouldn’t necessarily be an indictment of Teague’s abilities. His play is still good, and returning to his hometown of Indianapolis has served him well.
Teague’s scoring numbers have remained near his career averages with his new team. He will establish new career highs in assists and rebounds, however, as he has been asked to do more for the Pacers. He has pushed his assists upward this season without raising his turnover rate at all, which is impressive. Teague’s play isn’t quite pushing All-Star levels, but is consistent and solid nonetheless.
The Pacers have been a disappointing team to some this season. A trendy preseason pick to push for the top of the Eastern Conference, Indiana is only slightly over .500 and is currently clutching onto the seven seed. This is more a result of struggles from everyone not named Paul George, Myles Turner, or Jeff Teague. Teague’s solid play is a reason why the Pacers are still likely going to make the playoffs, it is unclear where they would be with George Hill at his position. But with what he has brought to the table as a playmaker, it is more likely than not that Teague has helped the Pacers more.