There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Atlanta Hawks and their point guard situation. Last season, Jeff Teague was the franchise star as Dennis Schroder became a star off the bench. This season both players are struggling with consistency as weak leaks on the roster. While the Hawks are contenders for the playoffs, something is missing on the roster in order for them to get back to the Eastern Conference championship which is why trade rumors continue to circle the team.
On Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that teams were interested in trading for Teague or Schroder as the New York Knicks, Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks were all listed as suitors. Wojnarowski made it clear that the Hawks were not actively shopping the point guards, but have listened to offers when the phones rang. Head coach Mike Budenholzer has heard these rumors circling the team and made it clear that he likes the current roster the Hawks have.
"I would say we continue to like our team and believe in the team," Budenholzer said, via MyAJC.com. "I don't think we've been as consistent as we'd like. I think, collectively we haven't and probably individually we haven't. But I wouldn't say anything is in line or imminent or anything like that at all."
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, trade talk has surrounded more players than just Teague and Schroder. Both Al Horford and Kent Bazemore will be unrestricted free agents next season. Reports say the Hawks have no plans on trading either player, but both are not guaranteed to return in 2016. Out of the two, Horford is more likely to get a long-term deal from the Hawks in free agency considering just how valuable he is to the franchise. Atlanta would then seek an upgrade over Bazemore.
Both Teague and Schroder have team-friendly contracts. Teague is on the books for $8 million next season while Schroder has a qualifying offer through the 2017-18 season. The Hawks do not necessarily need to make a trade, they just need both players to return to the dominating point guards they were last year. Teague told the media that an ankle injury has hindered him all season, but he remains confident that improvement can come quickly. Budenholzer agrees.
"He's had a little spell here where he's had some good shots that he hasn't made and some finishing around the paint that I think he and I would like for him to make a few more shots," Budenholzer said, via MyAJC.com. "It would feel a lot different. He and I would love it if he was clicking a little bit better. At any given moment, he can flip it."
