Jeff Teague (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawks could move Jeff Teague on draft night, and with the Utah Jazz looking to trade down, they could be perfect partners for a potential deal.
According to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Hawks could move on from one of their point guards as the team attempts to move up in the draft for a high-level prospect.
"There is also the looming likelihood that the Hawks will trade one of their point guards, which means Jeff Teague could be moved on draft night," Vivlamore wrote.
Teague has been the talk of trade rumors as the odd man out in Atlanta, with Dennis Schroder becoming the more reliable option for the Hawks in the past season. With Teague entering the final year of his four-year $32 million contract with the Hawks, it makes sense for Atlanta to put him on the trading block, especially if it could create some cap space to help retain star free agent Al Horford.
The Hawks hold the No. 21 pick in the 2016 NBA draft, which could land them Bosnia's Ivica Zubac or Michigan State's Denzel Valentine. While the two rookies have the potential to become key players in the league, there are still more intriguing talents available prior to them, which leads to the Hawks' plan to move up the draft. One possible trade partner the Hawks could pursue is the Utah Jazz, who, according to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, are looking to move down in the draft order.
Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin admitted that the team is still open to any deal may it be keeping or moving their No. 12 pick. With the Jazz looking to "depth and shooting," Jones believes it will not be too hard for Utah to trade down.
"Acquiring that needed depth in free agency seems to be a logical way to go, since the Jazz have tons of money in cap space," Jones wrote.
The Hawks could grab the opportunity to draft a high-profile prospect by exploring a trade with the Jazz. With a package centered in Teague and their own first round pick, Atlanta could create an enticing deal for the Jazz's No. 12 pick. Which could be Skal Labissiere of Kentucky or Jakob Poeltl of Utah.
Atlanta could also attempt to call the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves for their top picks, which have been included in several trade rumors. However, it may be too pricey for the Hawks, which leaves them the Jazz as the most ideal trade partner to climb up the draft.
