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Atlanta Hawks: 5 best non-lottery first-round picks in team history

By Joshua Buckhalter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 24: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks protests after being called for a foul against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 24: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks protests after being called for a foul against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks best non-lottery first-round pick No. 4: Jeff Teague’s tenure is underappreciated

For three seasons, Jeff Teague started ahead of his successor in Schroder. Those three seasons were the best of Teague’s career statistically speaking. He went from averaging 13.7 points and 6.2 assists in the two seasons before Schroder’s arrival. His production rose to 16.0 points and 6.5 assists in the three seasons that followed.

As far as the team’s success, Teague’s Hawks never missed the playoffs in his seven full seasons. After being selected 19th overall in 2009 out of Wake Forest, where he averaged 18.8 points per game as a senior, he cut his teeth under Mike Bibby.

Teague would blossom into a 15-point-per-game playoff scorer for the Hawks. He averaged 19.3 points per game in the postseason the year Schroder arrived.

He and big man Al Horford were the foundation of many successful Hawks teams. That includes the one that last reached the Eastern Conference Finals before Young led them there this past season. But the writing was on the wall with Schroder proving to be more than the defender he was billed as.

The Hawks traded the Indianapolis native to the Pacers. Teague signed with the Timberwolves, spending two and a half seasons in Minnesota before being sent back to Atlanta. He began last season with the Celtics but was trade to the Magic who bought him out.

After the dust had settled, Teague wound up signing with his former head coach Mike Budenholzer and the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks.

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