NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks Interested In Jeff Teague, But Kevin Durant Could Be The Real Target
The NBA trade rumors are focusing in on the New York Knicks, who are reportedly looking into landing Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague in their push for the playoffs but could have someone even bigger in mind — Kevin Durant.
The Knicks are one of a handful of teams reportedly in the running for Teague, who is rumored to be on the trade block as the February trade deadline nears. The Knicks are trying to shore up a team that could push into the back end of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but the move would also help make them a more attractive option for Kevin Durant, who many believe will opt out of his deal and become a free agent.
If he ends up headed for New York, Teague would give the Knicks an immediate upgrade over 34-year-old Jose Calderon. Teague is averaging 14.3 points and 5.5 assists, a bit down from his All-Star season, as he’s split time with Dennis Schröder at the point.
The Knicks have always been considered an outsider in the hunt for Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder are able to offer him a five-year contract starting at $25 million a year and increasing by 7.5 percent onward from there. All other teams, Knicks included, could only give Durant a $25 million deal in the first year and increasing by 4.5 percent afterward, ESPN noted.
So with the money disadvantage, the New York Knicks would have to first do some shifting to add cap space and then offer Durant an attractive landing point. The Knicks may already have part of that, as Durant has big praise for Kristaps Porzingis, calling him a “unicorn” of size and skills.
“When they made the pick, I texted [Knicks head coach Derek Fisher] immediately and said ‘I like this kid, he can play.’ A lot of people were down on him, but he can play,” Durant said (via ESPN). “He’s a skilled guy and I think we’ve gotten away from enjoying skilled players in this league. We get so many players that are athletic and big and strong, but he’s a skilled player.”
The NBA trade rumors surrounding Jeff Teague could further strengthen the Knicks team, making them a contender not only for the playoffs but for landing Kevin Durant as well.
Those aren’t the only NBA trade rumors surrounding Jeff Teague. He has also been connected to the Utah Jazz, who could use some backcourt help and have the assets to make a move. As the Salt Lake Tribune noted, Utah has some extra draft picks thanks to previous trades, including first rounders from the Warriors and Thunder, as well as young guards in Trey Burke and Alec Burks.
Should Hawks trade @Teague0 & hand reins over to @DennisMike93? WATCH: https://t.co/W3AEAIP6t3 #TheStarters pic.twitter.com/dzPGgIYZjA
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) January 28, 2016
Utah Jazz notes: Jeff Teague to Utah? Rumor mill starts to churn – Salt Lake Tribune https://t.co/RUYfm3jW99
— Utah Jazz update (@UtahJazzupdate1) January 28, 2016
But the Jazz aren’t saying much about the NBA trade rumors, with coach Quin Snyder saying his team is trying to block out the trade talk.
“I really like our group so much,” Snyder said. “So it’s easy for me to stay focused on the present. … I’m not in that world. I’m here and watching our opponents. So I’m sure all that stuff is going on out there, I’m more concerned about the guys we have.”
If the NBA trade rumors are true, then as many as a half-dozen teams could be interested in Jeff Teague. If the New York Knicks want to land him and increase their chances of making the playoffs or acquiring Kevin Durant, they may have to be prepared to bid high.
[Picture by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images]
