Pro: Off-Ball Offense
Derrick Rose played an invaluable role for the New York Knicks as a slashing point guard who could get to the rim with relative ease. He was the only player on the team who could generate penetration on anything close to a consistent basis.
What held Rose back on the offensive end of the floor, however, was his inability to play without the ball—and that’s an area in which Jeff Teague excels.
Teague isn’t necessarily an elite 3-point shooter, but he’s certainly solid in that regard. He made 110 3-point field goals on 40.0 percent shooting from distance in 2015-16, and drained 90 on 35.7 percent shooting in 2016-17.
Teague shot 49.6 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-point field goals in 2015-16, and shot 37.6 percent in said scenarios in 2016-17.
Teague’s ability to work without the ball and space the floor would make him an ideal point guard for the triangle offense. It’s also worth noting that, while Teague may not be Rose on the drive, he’s a capable slasher and finisher.
New York needs a point guard who can both create with the ball and operate without it, and Teague most certainly fits the bill.