Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of pursuing Jeff Teague in free agency

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Mar 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Facilitating

Derrick Rose had value as a slashing scoring threat during the 2016-17 season. From a facilitating perspective, however, Rose provided the value of a shooting guard while at the point guard position—and that simply isn’t enough for a team of non-distributors.

The absence of Joakim Noah in the high post undoubtedly hurt the Knicks’ ball movement, but Jeff Teague would be a massive upgrade over Rose as far as facilitating is concerned.

Teague finished the 2016-17 NBA regular season at No. 7 in assists per game and No. 11 in assist-to-turnover ratio. Teague was also No. 7 in the NBA with an average of 18.2 points created via assists per game.

Rose may have outscored Teague by a measure of 18.0 to 15.3 points per game, but Teague created 33.5 points to Rose’s 28.8.

Teague’s primary form of offensive execution is via the pick and roll, which fits Jeff Hornacek’s past method of operation. He can help get the ball into Willy Hernangomez in the paint, and kick the ball out to Kristaps Porzingis for pick and pop opportunities.

Assuming Carmelo Anthony remains in New York for the 2017-18 season, Teague is the type of penetrating facilitator whom he could play off of.