6. Alec Burks
Alec Burks has been sidelined since late December with an ankle injury, but he seemed poised for a breakout season with Dante Exum out and plenty of minutes available in the backcourt. Through the first 28 games of the season, Burks averaged a career-high 14.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 38.7 percent shooting from three-point range.
Early in the season, Burks was a frontrunner for the Sixth Man of the Year Award; now the Utah Jazz are just hopeful he can return to practice soon as the team desperately tries to claw its way back into a playoff spot.
The Jazz need bench depth in the worst way. Alec Burks will be such a welcome sight. #ATLatUTA
— David J. Smith (@davidjsmith1232) March 9, 2016
Either way, Burks was having the best season of his career and holds his own on the defensive end for one of the league’s best defensive teams when fully healthy. Here’s hoping the injury woes of the last two years don’t derail what was shaping up to be his most promising season yet.
Next: No. 5