Lakers’ Teagle Signs 1-Year Deal With Italian League Champion

Terry Teagle left the Lakers on Wednesday and signed a one-year contract with Italian League champion Benetton Treviso for $800,000.

In 10 NBA seasons, Teagle, 32, also played for the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers acquired the 6-foot-5 swing man from the Warriors on Sept. 25, 1990, for a first-round draft choice.

Benetton had been talking with Anthony Peeler, the Lakers’ first-round pick, in an effort to replace Vinny Del Negro, who is returning to the NBA, with the San Antonio Spurs, after two seasons in Italy.

“I can’t hope to replace Del Negro in the hearts of Treviso fans, but I can hope to help Benetton win another title,” Teagle told a news conference.

Teagle, who finished his career at Baylor as the all-time scoring leader in Southwest Conference history with 2,189 points, has played in nearly 700 NBA games and has averaged nearly 12 points per game.

He averaged just under 10 points with the Lakers in the 1990-91 season and 10.7 points last season.

Teagle will undergo a physical exam today before returning home.

He will be back in Treviso on Aug. 18 to get ready for the Italian League season, which starts in September.