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Jeff Teague is the underrated signing of the Timberwolves’ offseason

By Jarrett Spence

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jeff Teague was one of the first players the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired while continuing to build their roster this summer, but he’s already being forgotten as a true impact player.

Jeff Teague spent last season with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 15.3 points and a career-high 7.8 assists per game.

He spent his first seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, where he led the team to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2015, leading them to the best record in the East and second-best record in the league while being named an All-Star. Despite being part of a big rebuild and one of only two players to have been named All-Stars on the Wolves, he has not been talked about a lot, and people may have forgot how good he is.

Tom Thibodeau has a knack for having his point guards go to a new level with their play, and Teague should be no exception. Teague, who is already an established player in this league, can still go to the next level with his play. He’ll be the second-best point guard that Thibs has ever coached, behind Derrick Rose.

Teague will be in charge of getting the ball to his teammates, controlling the pace of the game, and also finding his own shot. Teams will mostly try to game play to stop Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler, giving Teague the opportunity to fly under the radar and be something resembling an ‘X-factor’. Teague is a good shooter — 35.5 percent 3-point shooter for his career. When teams double-up on Wiggins, Towns or Butler, Teague will be able to knock down open threes.

Teague is also a solid finisher around the rim, converting 59 percent from within three feet of the basket and 38.8 percent from three to 10 feet for his career. His playmaking skills are something to take into consideration as well, setting a career-high in assists last year and it will definitely go up with the amount of weapons Teague has on his team.

Next: How does OKC's addition of Anthony impact the Wolves?

While everyone is fixated on the new Big Three in Minnesota and the other free agents the Timberwolves acquired this offseason, Teague should have a good year and surprise a lot of people with his play.

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