Phoenix Suns: 3 Free Agent Targets to Avoid Bringing Aboard

Phoenix Suns Free Agent Target to Avoid: Jeff Teague

As another player with a storied past, even one with an NBA title added to it more recently, Jeff Teague might draw some attention from the Suns if they fail to re-sign back up point guard Cameron Payne.

Even after the Boston Celtics traded Teague to the Orlando Magic last year, who then waived him, he failed to let it reignite his game. After joining the Milwaukee Bucks, he averaged 6.6 points per contest off the bench—his lowest mark since the 2010-11 season.

Teague even referenced his own decline after the Bucks went onto beat the Suns and win the NBA Finals two weeks ago, joking at about his minimal contributions to Milwaukee’s championship effort shortly after hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.

https://twitter.com/overtime/status/1420171557884899329?s=20

The Suns need to take Teague’s own words seriously, and keep their distance from him this summer. Even if they strike out with Payne, and even the other free agent ball handlers like Spencer Dinwiddie or Reggie Bullock, they recently traded for Landry Shamet, who provides some insurance.

While listed as a shooting guard, Shamet ran as Brooklyn’s primary ball handler from time to time for the Brooklyn Nets last year, looking quite poised and comfortable while doing so even at his young age. This makes him a much better fall-back option for the Suns behind Paul, rather than a declining Teague.