Milwaukee Bucks: 3 Jeff Teague replacements in 2021 NBA Free Agency
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks could replace Jeff Teague with T.J. McConnell in 2021 NBA Free Agency
In a free agency class that is loaded with point guard talent, T.J. McConnell is among the more underrated players, but he would be a great target for the Bucks.
The Bucks saw their share of McConnell this season as he played for the rivaling Indiana Pacers, where he put up career-highs in several categories. That would include 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, an impressive 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, taking significant strides to become Indiana’s go-to-player in the second unit. While the Pacers may look to reward him for his career year by handing him an extension, the Bucks should look to make a pitch.
McConnell would immediately provide the Bucks with a hefty dose of scoring and playmaking in the second unit. Starting point guard Jrue Holiday’s masterful facilitating was sensational this year, and having a player with a similar prowess like McConnell backing him up would be a dynamic one-two punch for the Bucks to utilize. While Teague’s facilitating proved serviceable, McConnell would take things up a notch entirely. The same could be said for his presence defensively, where Teague was not exactly impactful for the Bucks on most occasions.
The one downside in targeting McConnell would be his lack of an outside shot, which is something the Bucks rely on heavily. Shooting just 32.9 percent from 3-point range for his career, McConnell has never been a reliable threat from the outside, which could be problematic. However, given everything else he brings to the table, he would be a solid target for Milwaukee. As it will be with every target, money could be the biggest obstacle in landing him, but that should not stop the front office from trying.