As the Atlanta Hawks mull over what they plan on doing with the ongoing Jeff Teague drama the point guard is simply asking them to let him walk away. Teague is a young and growing point guard that has drawn some attention as a restricted free agent. The Milwaukee Bucks put down a four-year, $32 million offer sheet that Teague opted to sign. The Hawks are considering matching the offer but Teague is saying he wants to move on.
Free agency is all about money and attention. The Hawks have not offered Teague either of these, leaving the point guard begging to get out. Atlanta's first priority in free agency was Dwight Howard. When they lost out on that option, they focused on Josh Smith. When that went bad, they focused on Kyle Korver and then Andrew Bynum. Teague is just now garnering the Hawks' attention and he is tired of fighting for the spotlight. Atlanta is considering matching the Bucks' offer but Teague says not to.
"I'm definitely excited at the opportunity to come back to work with Larry Drew," Teague told the Journal Sentinel. "The Bucks have a good team, a young nucleus and guys that are ready to take that next step. I can help. I'm nervous. I really want to be here. I thank Milwaukee for giving me this opportunity and taking a chance on me."
Teague just wants to feel wanted by a team, something he said the Hawks never showed him. The point guard told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the Milwaukee Bucks greeted him with open arms and expressed how eager they were to have him join the team. He never got that response from the Hawks.
After Teague signed the offer sheet, it was assumed the Hawks would escalate negotiations for a sign-and-trade for either Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis. It would be the easiest way for the whole signing to go down. The Hawks had already expressed interest in both point guards and this way they would get something in return for Teague. However, Atlanta has decline the sign-and-trade option and will either match the offer sheet or simply let Teague walk away.
The Hawks can still pursue a point guard if Teague walks. Jennings is a restricted free agent, but Milwaukee would not match any offer placed on him with Teague already on the team. They also have their sights on Mo Williams as an option. Either way, Teague will likely get his wish.