Milwaukee Bucks: Predicting where impending free agents will soon sign
By Dalton Sell
Free agency prediction No. 2 – Jeff Teague leaves the Milwaukee Bucks for the Los Angeles Lakers
After being brought aboard mid-season via the buyout market, Jeff Teague never quite found his footing with the Bucks.
While he was hit or miss throughout the team’s title run, several teams certainly would not mind having him on their roster ahead of next season. Teague has been a solid point guard in the NBA for his 12 seasons now, and although he is no longer a starting-caliber guard, he could bolster most team’s second unit with an experienced floor general. Despite some lapses in judgment at times, Teague’s ability to handle the ball and make plays for others is something that teams value.
That is where a team like the Los Angeles Lakers would likely look to pursue him. Much like the Bucks, the Lakers will have little money to operate this offseason, and with the team needing to shore up their guard depth, they could take a flyer on Teague. Following their blockbuster trade for former league MVP Russell Westbrook, the Lakers have a new starting point guard in town, but they will need to find his backup in free agency.
Teague would be a cheap option for them to come off the bench and orchestrate the offense when LeBron James or Russell Westbrook need a breather on the bench. Signing with Los Angeles would allow Teague to continue competing at the highest level, which is something that must be factored into his decision-making at this stage in his career.
While it seems reasonable to believe Teague will leave, it will not be set in stone until it ultimately happens, if it comes down to that. After all, Teague said that coming to Milwaukee was an easy choice for him after he was bought out because he wanted to reunite with Budenholzer, and he could want to stick around with the two-time Coach of the Year for more. Only time will tell, but if he does leave, Los Angeles seems like a feasible landing spot.