NBA: The Minnesota Timberwolves' guard conundrum

The Teague issue

Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague is the reason behind this whole scenario. The guard is owed 19 million this season, and has a player option for next season. Based on how this season is unfolding, and the fact that he is 30 years old, it's hard to see him turning down that option.

Teague has demonstrated an extreme aversion to showing any signs of wanting to score himself. He burns down the shot clock and forces passes to try and feed KAT in the post. If the opposition is the Hornets, it works.

If the opposition is the Lakers and Tyson Chandler marks Towns, it fails. There's force-feeding to KAT and Wiggins (which only leads to worse shot selection) and a baffling freezing out of Rose on multiple occasions.

Because of his contract and his generally laidback play, Teague cannot lead the second unit as Rose can. He doesn't actually initiate the offense, and shows recalcitrance to score off the dribble that doesn't fit the mold of today's point guard. Plus, there's the issue of whether he'd be willing to come off the bench.

He has missed a large chunk of games this season with various knee and thigh issues (the first of which led to Rose's resurgence) and at this rate, he might be on the trade block before his player option has a chance to kick in.