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Dennis Schroder: Could He Make Jeff Teague Expendable?

By Jonathan Savitske

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Dennis Schroder had a breakthrough season last year, raising his points per game average from 3.7 PPG to 10.0 PPG.

The 22-year-old point guard from Germany elevated his game last season, becoming a key player for the Atlanta Hawks coming off the bench as well as an excellent replacement in the starting lineup when starting PG Jeff Teague missed time due to injury. Dennis Schroder continued to develop his game this summer as the starting point guard on the German national team during the FIBA Eurobasket tournament.

-= Related: Jeff Teague: How Does He Build Upon Last Year? =-

During Eurobasket, Dennis Schroder had games where he finished with 26, 29 and 24 points in respective games, showing truly how far the young guard has come since being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA draft in 2013. With only two years left on Jeff Teague’s contract, and Dennis Schroder’s constant growth in his development, could he make the Atlanta Hawks’ All-Star Teague expendable at some point this season or next offseason?

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This is a topic that most Hawks fans will not want to discuss, as Jeff Teague is highly regarded — and for good reason. Arguably the Hawks best player, Jeff Teague has ascended into the top-tier of NBA point guards with his ability to get to the basket, effective defensive prowess, and developing three-point shot. Because the Atlanta Hawks lack of a superstar, and constant desire to improve depth, the Hawks could trade Jeff Teague and his team friendly contract for some nice pieces to improve the club in other areas.

Before any Hawks fans demonize me for making this speculative assertion, this would only occur if Dennis Schroder is capable of elevating his game to a level that is close to commensurate with Jeff Teague. Though there is not yet a positional controversy, one could very well exist before the season is over.

“If Dennis Schroder performs beyond expectations this season, firmly entrenching himself as one of the top young point guards in the league, I see the Atlanta Hawks at the very least shopping Jeff Teague at the end of the season or next offseason.”

If Dennis Schroder performs beyond expectations this season, firmly entrenching himself as one of the top young point guards in the league, I see the Atlanta Hawks at the very least shopping Jeff Teague at the end of the season or next offseason. A good analogy is what the Atlanta Braves did with Jason Heyward last season. With one year left on Heyward’s contract, the Braves sent their star right-fielder to the Cardinals for Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. They essentially traded one year of Heyward and the uncertainty that he would re-sign for 4 years of control of an excellent starting pitcher in Miller.

If it is becoming clear that Jeff Teague may not re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks in the summer of 2017, GM Wes Wilcox could decide to send Teague packing if Dennis Schroder proves capable of manning the point guard position and not losing any production with the departure of Teague. Jeff Teague could also net the Atlanta Hawks a nice package of assets including first round draft picks and one or two rotation players.

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Could a potential PG controversy exist this season? It’s not likely, but could happen. Dennis Schroder, while growing, still needs to develop to a level that would make the Atlanta Hawks entertain the idea. The more likely scenario is that Teague exits at some point during the 2016-2017 season to a contender that needs a PG and is willing to part with valuable assets.

Jeff Teague is a fan favorite, but a potential trade if Dennis Schroder develops into a star could prove beneficial to the organization. Dennis Schroder will have a tremendous impact on the Atlanta Hawks this season, and if he can continue to refine his game and enter into the same breadth as Jeff Teague, we may see a PG controversy in Atlanta at some point this year.

Next: Kent Bazemore: Hawks' Starting SF to Begin Season?

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