Jeff Teague Rumors: Timberwolves Potential Landing Place for Free-Agent PG

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly moving on from point guard Ricky Rubio, and they already seem to have a possible replacement in mind.          

Shortly after he reported Friday that Minnesota will trade Rubio to the Utah Jazz, the Salt Lake Tribune's Tony Jones cited league sources who said the Timberwolves and free-agent point guard Jeff Teague have "mutual interest" when free agency starts Saturday.

ESPN.com's Zach Lowe echoed that sentiment and USA Today's Sam Amick added the Timberwolves have emerged as a "heavy, heavy favorite" to sign Teague. 

With Rubio on his way out in exchange for a lottery-protected 2018 first-round pick the Jazz initially acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Timberwolves are firmly in the market for a new floor general. 

Teague—who is also expected to garner interest from the New York Knicks, per ESPN.com's Ian Begley—would be a logical target as they seek additional firepower alongside Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Last season with the Indiana Pacers, Teague averaged 15.3 points, 7.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds on 44.2 percent shooting from the field, including 35.7 percent shooting from three. He also posted the second-highest player efficiency rating (19.2) of his career. 

The Timberwolves are also expected to hone in on other veteran point guards who will hit the open market at the start of free agency. 

NBA.com's David Aldridge noted the Rubio trade puts Minnesota "squarely in the Kyle Lowry sweepstakes," while ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman pointed to George Hill as another option. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.