With two open roster spots, it was only a matter of time before the Milwaukee Bucks made a move, and it appears that the first domino has fallen.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, 32-year-old guard Jeff Teague will be heading to Milwaukee likely for the remainder of the season. The veteran guard has had an eventful week, as, after a 34 game stint with the Boston Celtics, Teague was traded to and waived by the Orlando Magic.
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With no previous rumblings between the Bucks and Teague in the rumor mill, this news came as a surprise to most. Now he finds himself as the newest Milwaukee Buck, and they are undoubtedly glad to have him aboard.
What the addition of Teague means for Milwaukee’s rumored interest in guard Austin Rivers is now clouded, but they could still sign him to their other open spot if that mutual interest remains persistent.
Nevertheless, only time will tell what comes of that situation in the coming days. For now, here are three reasons why signing Jeff Teague is a solid move for the Bucks.
Jeff Teague gives the Milwaukee Bucks another experienced veteran
Competing at the highest level, the Bucks are always looking for more talent that can help them compete for a championship.
While Teague is not a needle-tipping addition by any means, he is a household name to bring into the fold. Currently playing in his 12th NBA season, the guard’s numbers over his well-traveled career are respectable, averaging 12.3 points on a .444/.359/.844 slash line, 2.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. Starting in 598 of his 805 regular season games played, Teague has largely been a starter for the majority of his career.
The 32-year-old will provide them with another solid veteran presence both on the floor and in the locker room. Furthermore, he brings a handful of postseason experience to Milwaukee. Logging 2,080 minutes over 71 playoff games played, the guard has been a meaningful contributor for several teams in the playoffs over the years.
While he will likely not play a pivotal role for the Bucks at this stage in his career, Teague’s veteran experience makes him a viable signing.
Jeff Teague fills the Milwaukee Bucks’ backup point guard opening
After they traded backup floor general D.J. Augustin to the Houston Rockets several weeks ago, the Bucks have been scouring the market for his replacement.
Previously being linked to several intriguing candidates through trade and the free agent market, it looks like Teague has won the job. As previously alluded to, Teague’s veteran experience makes him an ideal candidate to fill that vacancy, although his short-lived stint with Boston was far from his best effort.
In 34 games with the club, the guard averaged 6.9 points on .415/.464/.836 shooting splits, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.1 minutes per game. While those numbers certainly do not leap off the page, Teague could be a serviceable option to run the second unit and take some ball handling responsibilities away from starting guard Jrue Holiday when necessary.
Teague ranks 13th in total assists among current players, and that is something that will unquestionably help improve Milwaukee’s second unit. The Bucks’ reserves rank 27th in assists this season by conjuring up just 6.3 per game, something that their newest addition will provide some immediate relief in.
Along with his playmaking, Teague gives the Bucks another floor spacer to help boost Milwaukee’s bench shooting. Knocking down 35.9 percent of his shots from behind the arc for his career, he is a passable shooter from distance that joins a reserve unit that ranks second in 3-point percentage this season.
Jeff Teague is familiar playing under Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer
When Teague was waived by the Magic, speculation immediately followed among fans that Milwaukee could be his next destination solely because of head coach Mike Budenholzer. The two-time Coach of the Year coached Teague for three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2016, which were the best years of his career.
Under Budenholzer, the guard averaged 16.0 points on .445/.361/.848 shooting splits, 2.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Earning his sole All-Star nod in that span during the 2014-15 season, which doubled as the Hawks’ 60-win campaign, Teague played a central role in Atlanta’s success that year under Bud.
While the Bucks and Bud have made a point to altering their system this season after their previous playoff flameouts, Teague brings an institutional knowledge of having played under Budenholzer previously. That alone gives Teague a head start in filling out the kind of role Bud and the Bucks are looking for Teague to occupy going into the stretch run of the season.
Whether that familiarity helps Teague turn back the clock a bit in terms of his production and displaying the trademark speed and athleticism remains to be seen. But he brings a wealth of knowledge that makes it easier for him to find his footing upon coming to Milwaukee.
When we get to see Teague’s Bucks debut is yet to be announced, but it could come as soon as when the Bucks take on the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night for a nationally televised affair on ESPN.