Boston Celtics: 3 Atlanta Hawks the C’s should pursue

Jeff Teague

It was a tad strange for the Atlanta Hawks to make a deal for Jeff Teague this season, sending him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Allen Crabbe. It was a swap of expiring deals, with no draft picks being sent either direction.

Hawks All-Star Trae Young mentioned getting help this season, but it seems as though that ship has sailed. Atlanta currently sits eight and a half games back of the eighth seed, and occupy the basement of the Eastern Conference.

Yes, even below the New York Knicks.

Teague is, for all intents and purposes, a legend in the ATL. The 2014-15 Hawks were one of the greatest teams in the history of the franchise, sending four All-Stars to the 2015 All-Star game in New York. The starting five of Teague, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Millsap and Al Horford were famously named player of the month in January 2015.

He doesn’t fit the current-day Hawks, however. On the Timberwolves as a starter, his shooting percentages of 45 and 38 percent from the field and the 3-point line were much superior to his 33 and 25 percent splits in Atlanta.

With more talent around him in Boston, Teague could be the backup needed on a C’s bench that currently lacks a standout playmaker. Ainge won’t acquire Teague and his $19 million expiring pact in a deal, but if Teague hits the open market, there is most definitely a fit with the 31-year-old and a Boston Celtics lineup that could use an experienced contributor like Teague.