Timberwolves' Jeff Teague picks up $19 million contract option

In a move that became more a formality than a question, as injuries kept him sidelined this season, Jeff Teague will pick up his $19 million player option for the final year of his contract, a source confirmed to the Star Tribune.

Teague, 30, played in only 42 games this season as different injuries affected his playing time. Chief among them was a left foot injury that caused Teague to miss the final 15 games of the season.

Teague recently had an ankle debridement to clean up damage in his ankle.

Because of his injuries, Teague's value would have been low had he sought a longer deal on the open market. He'll be entering his third year with the Wolves after signing in 2017.

When Teague played well this year, the Wolves were a better team, and he averaged a career-high 8.2 assists. It remains to be seen if injuries will be a nagging problem for Teague, who has been healthy through most of his career, or just a one-year blip.

Teague's decision means at least one Wolves point guard is under contract for next season. Tyus Jones is a restricted free agent, and Derrick Rose and Jerryd Bayless are unrestricted free agents.

Chris Hine