Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

7 reasons the Minnesota Timberwolves shouldn’t trade Jeff Teague

By Brian Sampson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 3: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the LA Clippers on December 3, 2017 at Target Center 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 - DECEMBER 3: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the LA Clippers on December 3, 2017 at Target Center 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the New York Knicks during the game on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 12: Tyus Jones #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the New York Knicks during the game on January 12, 2018 at the Target Center 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. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Tyus Jones is unproven.

I know I’m going to take a lot of heat for this, but Tyus Jones is an unproven player at this point in his career.

Sure, he played well when he was thrust into the starting lineup and has admirably survived a porous bench. But I’m not completely convinced of his skill level and how much impact he exactly had on the starting lineup once he entered it, as the unit as a whole had already begun their best play of the season shortly before Teague’s injury.

To be completely honest, I’m not nearly as high on Jones as most folks. It’s hard for me to get on board with someone who’s the worst offensive player most nights he steps on the floor and who’s best assets are basketball I.Q. and passing the ball ahead to teammates.

Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a useful player in his current role and could even be useful up to 20 minutes per game. But when the playoffs come, teams will completely ignore him on offense and if he’s playing 30 plus minutes a night that could be troublesome (Look at what the San Antonio Spurs did to Tony Allen on the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2012-13 Western Conference Finals).

Also, because Jone is unproven, that means the Timberwolves would have to get a point guard back in return for any Teague trade, something that may prove difficult considering their other needs.

In the end, it’s a big risk to take if you’re asking Jones to become the new starting point guard on a Western Conference playoff team trying to secure home-court advantage in the first round.

Home/Timberwolves News