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The Toronto Raptors should make a trade for Alec Burks

By Mark Birdsell

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: Alec Burks #8 of the Golden State Warriors smiles prior to a game against the Utah Jazz on December 13, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 13: Alec Burks #8 of the Golden State Warriors smiles prior to a game against the Utah Jazz on December 13, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Alec Burks (Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Who is Alec Burks?

Burks was drafted no. 12 overall by the Utah Jazz back in 2011. He has solid measurements for a wing player, standing 6-foot-6 (in shoes) with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. Unfortunately, Burks’ career has been derailed by injuries.

Burks played less than 70 games in each of his first two seasons in the NBA. However, he seemed to break through in his third year. He played 78 games and averaged 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 35 percent from three-point range.

The Jazz viewed Burks as one of their key players to build around. He was part of a core of young players which included Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors. Following his breakout year, the Jazz rewarded Burks with a four-year, $42 million contract.

Unfortunately for both sides, Burks had not been able to stay on the floor since he signed that contract extension. Burks missed 55 games after undergoing left shoulder surgery in December 2014. He suffered a left ankle fracture in December 2015. This resulted in another surgery and missing 50 more games. Burks then missed almost half of the 2016-17 season, after undergoing a second surgery on his left ankle.

It wasn’t until the spring of 2018, that Burks declared he was 100 percent healthy. Burks played well in the playoffs that year. His best game came in a loss to the Houston Rockets in the second round. Burks scored 22 points, to go along with five assists and three rebounds while connecting on three of his five attempts from long distance.

However, by the time Burks was ready to contribute, Donovan Mitchell had emerged as a star for the Jazz. Burks happens to play the same position as Mitchell. That and the development of Royce O’Neale left Burks outside of the team’s regular rotation.

On November 29, 2018, Burks was traded, along with two future second-rounds picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyle Korver. The Cavs then shipped Burks to the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team deal just before last year’s trade deadline.

This past summer, Burks signed a one-year, make-good deal, with the Warriors for the veteran minimum. The Warriors needed to find cheap rotation players to help fill the void left by Durant.

Burks is currently enjoying a career year. He is averaging 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 36.4 percent from long distance (on 4.4 attempts per game). Burks has started 12 games for the Warriors this season. But with the team taking a year off from title contention, Burks could soon find himself on the move once again.

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