Jeff Teague Ready To Move On From Hawks

After signing an offer sheet with the Bucks last night, Jeff Teague has told Hawks GM Danny Ferry he's ready to move on from Atlanta, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution hears (Twitter link). Milwaukee's offer sheet, which the Hawks will have three days to match, is reportedly worth $32MM over four years.

Vivlamore's report doesn't come as a real surprise, given the news and rumors we've heard on Teague this month. During the first week of free agency, reports suggested that Teague's camp had grown increasingly frustrated by Atlanta's unwillingness to engage in contract negotiations, and that Teague was "nearly unwanted" within the Hawks' organization. Teague added today that the Bucks "embraced" him and made him feel wanted, which is something he didn't experience in Atlanta (Twitter link via Vivlamore).

This isn't the first time in recent years that a restricted free agent has encouraged his previous team not to match an offer sheet. Just last summer, Eric Gordon issued a statement after signing with the Suns, in which he declared that "Phoenix is just where my heart is now." In that instance, the then-Hornets matched Gordon's offer sheet anyway. If they don't have any other viable options and feel that Teague would be a valuable asset at that price, the Hawks may match, but those are two big ifs. As is, Teague doesn't expect the Hawks to match, according to Vivalmore (via Twitter).

Although Teague reportedly signed the Bucks' offer sheet last night, that didn't necessarily start the clock on the Hawks' three days. Atlanta has to formally receive the offer sheet, which sometimes doesn't happen immediately, as we saw with Jeremy Lin and the Rockets and Knicks a year ago. It's not clear if the three-day countdown is already underway or if it'll start at some point today.

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