Jeff Teague Hopes Hawks Don’t Match the Bucks’ Offer

Late Wednesday, restricted free agent guard Jeff Teague signed a 4-year, $32 million offer sheet to play for the Milwaukee Bucks and his former coach Larry Drew. Teague, 25, is hoping the Atlanta Hawks — who have a 72 hour window to act — won’t match the deal to retain him. Per the AJC and Journal Sentinel: “He doesn’t think the Hawks will match the offer and has told GM Danny Ferry that he is ready to move on. ‘It was a perfect situation for me, being familiar with the coaching staff and talking to them on the phone. They embraced me and they wanted me. They told me that. That is something I never really heard (in Atlanta). Once somebody said they actually wanted me to be a part of their future I’m all for it. … I really didn’t talk to them much through the process. I enjoyed my time there in Atlanta. I don’t think I really got too familiar with everybody once there was the switch in the front office. I don’t think we really built the relationship that we could have. It is what it is.’ […] ‘I’m definitely excited at the opportunity to come back to work with Larry Drew,’ Teague said. ‘The Bucks have a good team, a young nucleus and guys that are ready to take the next step. I can help.’ Teague had dinner with Drew in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. ‘I think after one call he knew this is where he wanted to be,’ said Teague’s Indianapolis-based agent, J.R. Hensley. ‘He’s familiar with Larry already and that’s the icing on the cake. They can continue to grow together. It’s a new challenge. It’s just refreshing to be part of an organization that sees him as a building block for the future.’ The Hawks selected German point guard Dennis Schroder in the first round of the June draft (No. 17 overall) and also have veteran Lou Williams and Shelvin Mack in the backcourt. Hensley said Teague was frustrated by the Hawks’ lack of interest and phoned team president and general manager Danny Ferry to inform him he did not want to return to Atlanta. ‘I’m nervous,’ Teague said of the waiting game which will play out until Atlanta makes its decision. ‘I really want to be here. I thank Milwaukee for giving me this opportunity and taking a chance on me.'”