NBA Trade Rumors: Jeff Teague on New York Knicks' radar

With the All-Star Break now behind us the league's full attention turns to Thursday's trade deadline. ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that the New York Knicks are looking for an upgrade to their point guard position and are intrigued by Atlanta's Jeff Teague.

Knicks' focus leading into Thursday trade deadline is upgrading at point guard. And word is a new name intrigues them: Atlanta's Jeff Teague

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 17, 2014

There are a couple of issues with any trade that might involve Teague. First and foremost he can veto any deal due to the Hawks having matched his offer sheet in July. He has a trade kicker in his contract and has three years remaining on his contract after this season. As Stein points out that would impact New York's flexibility.

No word on what New York might offer but any deal would likely start with either Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. It would be kind of ironic to see Teague head to New York to play for Mike Woodson.

Update:

ESPN New York's Ian Begley reports that preliminary discussions about a three-way deal involving Atlanta, New York and Toronto have been discussed. He cautions that the talks had not advanced past the preliminary stages.

League sources say a scenario in which Teague ends up in Toronto, Shumpert goes to Atlanta and Lowry winds up in New York has been discussed. Another scenario could have Teague ending up in New York. The conversations are believed to be preliminary and have not reached an advanced stage.

Grantland's Zach Lowe reported last week that sources told him Hawks GM Danny Ferry "is not in love" with Teague's four-year, $32 million deal. It's unclear if a potential Hawks-Knicks-Raptors deal would return enough talent to Atlanta to justify dealing Teague.

Shumpert, though, could be viewed as a nice piece for Atlanta. Despite his struggles this season, he is still highly regarded by talent evaluators around the league and is still on his rookie contract.