3. Trey Burke makes a statement
Trey Burke began the season with the Knicks’ G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. The No. 9 overall pick from the 2013 NBA Draft was already out of the league, looking for an avenue to get back. The Knicks presented him that opportunity, and he has responded when given a chance.
Burke was playing so well for the Westchester Knicks that he was held out of the G League showcase. Instead of running the risk of another team signing him, the Knicks signed him, releasing Ramon Sessions. Thus far, that decision has proven to be a smart one.
While Sessions was stuck at the end of the bench barely playing, Burke has made a statement to earn more minutes. Burke appeared in six of seven games on the road trip and played well in those minutes.
Burke was a catalyst against the Utah Jazz, playing 15 minutes against his former team, scoring seven points with two rebounds, two assists and one steal. In 29 minutes against the Nuggets, Burke double-doubled with 18 points and 11 assists, adding two rebounds. He also torched the Suns, scoring 18 points in 18 minutes with three assists and one rebound.
Even when he isn’t receiving many minutes, he gets the job done. In seven minutes against the Lakers, he scored four points with four assists and two rebounds. He scored four points with one assist in two minutes against the Golden State Warriors.
Burke is making a solid case to receive more consistent minutes going forward. He brings something to the table that the Knicks don’t currently have: a point guard that can break down a defense and get to the basket. Jarrett Jack has had a good season, but his limitations are clear.
Giving Burke minutes would make sense for the Knicks going forward. Rookie Frank Ntilikina has faltered some, and if the Knicks are serious about making a playoff run, scaling back his minutes, and even Jack’s, for Burke, makes sense at this time.