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NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 potential destinations for Jeff Teague

By Brendon Kleen

Mar 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) goes up to make a basket against Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) goes up to make a basket against Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) is guarded by Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Orlando Magic

This one is all about stability. The Magic need it in a big way, having turned over their entire front office this spring. They are also on their third coach in three seasons, and haven’t picked lower than 11 in the draft since 2013. Point guard may not be highest in their hierarchy of needs, but proven veteran talent should be pretty high on that list. Jeff Teague can be that guy for any team, but especially a Magic team that fits together pretty poorly at first glance.

Following the trade that swapped Terrence Ross for Serge Ibaka and netted Orlando an extra first-round pick, the roster actually looks more cohesive. Two very different (and talented) centers, then an intriguing collection of athletic talent in Ross, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja. There is no player on the roster now who you can justify giving 30 percent of your possessions to, but Orlando can free up almost $21 million and could do a lot worse with it than Teague. If the goal is to finally break into the postseason under new GM John Hammond, Teague’s steadying hand could have great value for the Magic.

Imagine a lineup of Teague, Fournier, Ross, Gordon and Bismack Biyombo. That’s a two-way unit that has all of the elements of a modern and effective basketball team. Teague would create space on an offense that will also not miss Ibaka’s elbow game. He would also allow Payton to control the second unit and use his quickness as an advantage against lesser players. His presence would truly mean more to this team, so desperate for success, than most.

The team ranked in the bottom half of the NBA in nearly every passing statistic available. This is in large part thanks to Ibaka’s isolation highwire act, but also because without requisite space or shooting, Orlando rarely had a better option than dumping it to one of their individual scorers and praying. Teague may not a world-beating playmaker, but he was seventh in the league in creating points as an assister, just behind Ricky Rubio and LeBron James. Boy could he help this team.

to take a long look at Teague. In terms of star power and recent success, he’d be walking into a good situation.

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