Let the trades and roster moves around the NBA begin. We saw a lot of offseason moves that completely flipped the NBA upside down. As the trade deadline approaches and teams are making their final push towards a playoff berth. We will most likely see changes to try to strengthen areas teams have struggled with during the first half of the season.
It has been a full circle trade for Allen Crabbe and Jeff Teague. It was announced by ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday, a trade has been worked out between the Atlanta Hawks (9-32) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-25)
Guard Jeff Teague is returning to the Atlanta Hawks. Swingman Allen Crabbe is being traded to the Minnesota TImberwolves.
The Hawks also pick up forward Treveon Graham in the trade. Minnesota opens up a roster spot that could be beneficial before the February 6th trade deadline.
Teague spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Hawks before being traded in a three-team deal to the Pacers in 2016. The Jazz got George Hill and the Hawks got a 12th pick that led them to draft Taurean Prince out of Baylor.
Three years later, the Hawks traded Prince to the Nets for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a 2020 first-round pick, and Allen Crabbe.
Well on Thursday, Crabbe and Teague are on the move again.
Trade Benefits
What do these moves do to help the Timberwolves and Hawks?
As mentioned, Minnesota opens up a roster space that would allow them to bring another player in before the trade deadline.
Crabbe is in his seventh season in the league and at 27 years old has averaged 5.1 points per game. In his 28 games with the Hawks this season shooting 36.45 from the field and 32. 3% from beyond the arc.
For Atlanta, 31-year-old Teague returns on an expiring contract. He could be a great help backing up Trae Young. It may be an exciting boost for him and Atlanta fans to be back where he started his career as a 19th overall pick in 2009. He may also bring some leadership and be a solid addition coming in averaging 13.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
Teammate Trae Young spoke highly of Teague in an interview Thursday, saying:
“He’s very smart, really good scorer, knows how to draw fouls, knows how to get his teammates involved.”
Young noted that in his opinion, Teague is:
“A very underrated point guard.. one of the most underrated point guards in our league.”
Thursday, after news broke, Young took to twitter to welcome Teague back to the team.
More Moves After Teague?
It still remains to be seen who will “win this trade”, but it is also safe to expect these are not the last of moves by either of these teams. Rumors have already been spreading that the Atlanta Hawks are allegedly interested in a trade for the San Antonio Spurs, Jakob Poltl.
Ironically, Jeff Teague, Treveon Graham, and the Hawks take on the San Antonio Spurs (17-22) Friday night at 8:30 pm ET at the AT&T Center.
The Timberwolves are on the road in their next game against the Indiana Pacers (26-15) Friday night for a 7 pm ET tip-off.
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