I think we'll be able to find a decent PG in free agency but not anyone who will please everyone. It depends on if we can make a draft day deal that involves Tyler Johnson and Warren also as that will open up more money for free agency as well. We'll see what happens there but I'm not expecting a Kemba type player, more of a Rubio or Collison type of steady veteran PG instead of a potential All-Star.
One possibility if we strike out elsewhere, Jeff Teague opted into the final year of his contract in Minnesota at $19 million. They like Derrick Rose and want to retain him and Tyus Jones is a restricted free agent so they'll need to pay 2 guys this summer and keeping Rose and resigning him to rejoing a crowded backcourt might be an issue. Jones is restricted but I would think they don't want him telling the Wolves not to match, whether they intend to or not. How much will they match for him if they're paying Teague $19 million already? They're at the cap as it is so they'll basically spent their money of keeping Rose for the MLE if he does stay. Jones could set them into the tax if they don't move Teague. I'd offer Warren and our 2nd rounder for Teague or Tyler Johnson and the Bucks pick for Teague. One or the other.
The Warren deal sheds about $7 million from their cap, factoring in $1 million for the 2nd round pick, and they'll need that to keep Rose and Jones without approaching the tax. Tyler Johnson's salary matches but it clears the logjam. Having a combo guard would work better for their logjam, with Johnson capable of playing some PG for when Rose inevitable goes down. They also add a pick to get Teague gone a year sooner. They save a little more because Johnson's cap hit is higher than his paid salary because of how the contract he signed was structured. I'm not sure how much but for a team approaching the tax that will help them. Having a future 1st is something their new GM would probably like also, even if it is a later 1st.
Teague isn't ideal but since he's only got a year left on his deal he's not the long term solution either but provides us with a veteran to help Ja, if that's our pick, or that keeps us from needing to scour free agency looking for the best PG possible to sign and then hoping we can afford it. If Teague works out then we can resign him next year on a better contract, if we didn't get Ja. If we do draft Ja then we might be able to flip Teague at the deadline, like the team talked about with Tyler Johnson and what can be done with his contract. Teague would be the more attractive player if a playoff team is looking to add a PG at the deadline next year.
