Indiana Pacers: Evaluating the team's in-house free agents

Indiana Pacers: Evaluating the team’s in-house free agents

Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 5

Apr 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) calls out a play in the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Teague

Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

2016-17 Statistics: 15.3 PPG, 7.8 APG, 4.0 RPG

Point guard Jeff Teague came to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team trade last summer that sent incumbent lead guard George Hill to the Utah Jazz. After a slow start, Teague responded with perhaps his best statistical season as a pro.

Teague’s 2016-17 salary was $8.8 million, and he is expected to command a sizable raise when he signs a new deal this offseason.

Indiana wants to have him back, but the cost could be prohibitive.

If the Pacers feel they can’t afford to pay Jeff Teague top dollar to remain with the team, they could opt to insert Lance Stephenson into the starting lineup at point guard.

“Born Ready” played that position with the second unit after joining the club late in the season, and he fared quite well as the backup point guard.

The Pacers know they have to be thrifty if they intend to sign Paul George to a massive new deal next summer, so it is possible they could get priced out of the competition to sign Jeff Teague.

The result of this will depend largely on what other teams offer the 6-foot-2 speedster — Indiana wants Teague with the team long-term, but the cost may simply be too rich.

Home/Indiana Pacers