The New York Knicks could look to re-sign SG Alec Burks in free agency. After an up-and-down stint with the Knicks last season, the team could still retain the 14-year veteran as a cheap depth option next season.
New York can negotiate a new deal with Burks without any competition until June 30th, when he will be allowed to talk to different teams for his services.
Alec Burks initially struggled in his second stint with the Knicks
Burks, who also spent two seasons with the Knicks from 2020-2022, was traded to the Knicks along with Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons at last season’s trade deadline. In the regular season, Burks struggled to find his groove with his former team, averaging just 6.5 points per game on porous shooting splits of 30% FG/30% 3P/73% FT. Burks struggled so much so, that head coach Tom Thibodeau, a longtime fan of Burks, was left with no choice but to remove him from the rotation.
Veteran shooting guard gave New York a major boost amidst playoff injuries
However, Burks managed to redeem himself in the postseason. Due to the Knicks’ unprecedented injury situation, Burks re-entered the rotation off the bench and immediately provided a spark.
In six playoff games, Burks averaged 14.8 points per game, including two games of 20 or more points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range. The 33-year-old was instrumental in helping the Knicks come within one game of the Eastern Conference Finals despite their long list of injuries.
Burks could be brought back for the veteran minimum
At this point in his career, the market price for Burks won’t be very high. The Knicks could easily bring him back for the league’s veteran minimum, which could be key for a team that needs scoring depth off the bench.
Even if Burks isn’t in the rotation, having a veteran presence in the locker room who is familiar with the system and culture set by head coach Tom Thibodeau could be beneficial for the team next season.