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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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Dec 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Chicago Bulls

This summer, any and every point guard that becomes available will be linked with the Bulls. Teague is no exception, as a guard with scoring and distributing ability well above average. Chicago is so desperate for talent at point guard that they conducted three separate trades to try and find it. But after failing to hit on Michael Carter-Williams and with Cameron Payne’s status still in the air, the team could definitely be eyeing Teague.

The Bulls ranked second-to-last in 3-point shooting last season, while Teague shot 35.7 percent from distance. He can nail those shots off the bounce and in catch-and-shoot situations, which would make him tremendously valuable for a Chicago team that was starved for space in the halfcourt last. After signing both Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade last summer, it was quickly apparent that the team would struggle to find space for its scorers on offense. Besides Nikola Mirotic, the team really had no source of shooting in its regular rotation.

Rondo’s deal is only partially guaranteed for next season, with a deadline for that guarantee decision coming eight days after the draft. If they were to eliminate him from their books, they would have an extra $10 million to deal with heading into free agency. A good deal of their focus this summer will logically be on the point guard spot, with Isaiah Canaan and Carter-Williams both eligible to come off the books in July. Assuming Teague makes somewhere between $15 and $20 million per season, they could fit Teague and one smaller player.

If the Bulls can convince themselves they are an average point guard and some depth pieces away from competing in the Eastern Conference, I would expect them to chase Teague.

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