Jeff Teague (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have "very real" intentions of trading for Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, according to the latest NBA trade rumors.
The Hawks have been reportedly gauging interests from other teams for Teague and Dennis Schroeder, but the former seems to be the odd man out with Atlanta inclining in keeping the latter as noted by CSNNE's Chris Mannix earlier this month.
According to Chris Vivlamore of Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Hawks are not actively shopping Teague, but they are believe to be open on offers from all teams as the Feb. 18 trade deadline approaches.
One possible trade partner the Hawks could get for Teague is the Pacers, who have been quiet so far in the trading season.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders claimed via Twitter that the Pacers are looking to trade for Teague, who has been the center of several trade scenarios around the league in recent weeks.
They are looking so very possible. Heard their interest in Jeff Teague is very real. https://t.co/7DNvyPubSO
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 13, 2016
ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz and Brian Windhorst devised a trade scenario that would send Teague to the Pacers for George Hill in a PG-to-PG swap. The deal works in ESPN's trade machine, and it could also work well for both team's campaign.
"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," Arnovitz and Windhorst noted.
"Sources say the Indiana Pacers have made inquiries and have dangled guard George Hill as a possible swap."
Teague could give the Pacers athleticism and his playmaking abilities would certainly serve other Indiana players well. The Pacers only have Rodney Stuckey as their other reliable point guard, but he is not considered as a pass-first PG, who could command and dish out open looks.
Surprisingly, the Pacers' playmaker this season has been Monta Ellis, averaging 4.8 assists per game. Teague's 5.5 dimes per contest would certainly give Indiana a lift in the assist department.
On the other hand, Hill would give Hawks another three-point threat to space the team's dynamic offense. With Kyle Korver struggling with his stroke from downtown, Hill could fill that void with his 43.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc, which is generally higher than any player in the Hawks' roster.
