Jeff Teague, the Hawks point guard who has established himself as a mediocre floor leader, had the offer sheet he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks matched, keeping him in Atlanta.
Whether you consider Teague has shown his peak level or whether he has more potential to fulfill will determine your reaction to his $8 million contract a season over four years.
Teague, a four-year veteran and two-year starter, set career highs with his averages of 14.6 points and 7.2 assists last season. Not bad. Not great. He ranked 12th in the league in assists and is one of only 10 players to increase his scoring average each of the last three seasons.
“He has improved each year of his career and continues to get better,” Hawks general manager Danny Ferry said. “At 25, he’s already been a key contributor on a playoff team and we look forward to seeing him develop into even more of a leader on our team.”
New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Teague “has a high level of talent.
“Keeping him with our group allows us to continue to build and improve going forward.”
The Hawks lost Josh Smith to free agent signing with Detroit, but have re-signed three-point specialist Kyle Korver and added free agent forwards Paul Millsap and Demarre Carroll.
Atlanta also signed point guard Dennis Schroder, a first-round draft pick from Germany, this week. Meanwhile, the Hawks’ matching of the Teague offer sheet opens the way for the Bucks to re-sign Brandon Jennings.
