Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague played this past season with a partial tear in his patella, according to Mike Mazzeo of ESPN:
A source described the nature of Teague’s injury to ESPN as a partial tear. Teague has also said previously that injuries to his ankles and knees hampered him this season.
He did not require surgery following an MRI taken after the season and is currently resting, but he should be back on the court soon, a source said.
Jeff Teague, 27, shocked the NBA universe Thursday morning by breaking the news via Instagram. In the post, Teague wrote: “They won’t tell y’all but I played with a tear in my patella the whole year and could barely jump or stop but it’s coo got that taken care #illbebackdunking #theywontsaythatpart.”
The Instagram post has since been deleted, and Hawks officials are indeed aware of it.
Last week, a report surfaced suggesting the Hawks and 76ers were discussing a multi-player deal that would send Jeff Teague to Philadelphia. Teague, likely seeing that report, seems agitated and reminded that the Hawks “won’t tell you” about his injury more than once in the post.
The Hawks likely will trade Jeff Teague or Dennis Schröder before next season. This past February, Atlanta had discussed deals centered around these two players with several teams.
Teague’s injury, which will not require off-season surgery, seemed to have a minor effect this past season with the Hawks. After making the Eastern Conference All-Star team in 2015, Teague was ultimately left off the roster this time around. In 79 appearances with the Hawks this season, Teague averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 assists, and shot 44% from the field. Last season, Teague averaged 15.9 points, 7 assists, and shot 46% from the field in two more minutes per game.
Jeff Teague has one more season left on his contract, a contract the Hawks are actively seeking ways to get rid of. The major question remains: If the Hawks ultimately move Jeff Teague, which team would take him? Philadelphia, in dire need of a point guard, is one potential suitor. However, expect teams to think long and hard before trading for Jeff Teague, a player that’s been riddled with ankle and knee injuries for much of the last year.
