Jeff Teague for Victor Oladipo?
The Magic and Hawks have reportedly had talks about a trade involving guards Victor Oladipo and Jeff Teague. (Getty)
Although the Hawks sit in fourth place in the East, they are in the middle of a seven-team log-jam that doesn’t appear capable of catching the Cleveland Cavaliers or Toronto Raptors.
According to a report from ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz and Brian Windhorst, management has “conceded internally that unless Atlanta can recapture the magic of last season’s run … this season’s team is a fringe contender.” As such, it’s willing to part with Jeff Teague, who was an All-Star last year:
The Hawks have been gauging the market for point guard Teague, who has started 345 games for Atlanta over the past four and a half seasons. Sources say the Indiana Pacers have made inquiries and have dangled guard George Hill as a possible swap. The Magic are also potential suitors for Teague, sources confirmed.
The New York Daily News’ Frank Isola has a similar report with extra details:
A league source claims that the Magic and Hawks have discussed a deal involving Victor Oladipo and Jeff Teague.
That would be a nice move for the Hawks, as a pairing of Dennis Schroder, who appears ready to be a starting PG in this league and has at times out-played Teague this year, and Victor Oladipo would make up one of the most exciting young backcourts in the NBA.
Of course, it would unlikely be a straight-up 1-for-1 swamp. Oladipo is four years younger than Teague, he’s a better defender, he can play both guard positions and he’s under team control for longer, becoming a restricted free agent in 2017, while Teague hits the open market that same year.
While Scott Skiles has at times oddly messed with Oladipo’s minutes, Orlando would would need more to give up one of the best young combo guards in the NBA.