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New York Knicks: Trey Burke continues to cement his role as lead guard

By Kenneth Teape

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks point guard Trey Burke is rolling, cementing his role as the team’s lead guard.

The New York Knicks are finishing up another lost season in terms of wins and losses. Once Kristaps Porzingis went down with a torn ACL in February, the Knicks’ slim playoff hopes were dashed as well.

Despite the melancholy feeling surrounding the organization, there were games to still be played. While the losses have continued piling up, there have been some bright spots. One of those bright spots is point guard Trey Burke.

Burke entered the NBA with a ton of momentum. He was named AP Player of the year in 2012-13 with Michigan. He also took home the Wooden Award, and was named a consensus All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year. Burke helped lead Michigan to the championship game but lost to Louisville, who has since had the title vacated.

Burke decided to declare for the NBA following his sophomore season and was selected No. 9 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Burke had a successful rookie season, earning First-Team All-Rookie honors. He was solid in his second season as well, but then things began to fall apart.

Utah added more backcourt options in Burke’s third season, and he was traded to the Washington Wizards prior to his fourth season. He came off the bench there, and the results again weren’t great.

At 24 years old, Burke’s NBA future was hanging in the balance. He had some choices to make. The Oklahoma City Thunder offered Burke a contract, but he turned it down for fear of not having a chance to showcase his talent. Instead, he landed with the Knicks’ G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, and hasn’t looked back.

Burke lit up the G League with Westchester. He averaged 26.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 37 minutes per game. Fearing another team would sign him, the Knicks signed Burke prior to the G League Showcase.

The Knicks’ front office hasn’t made many transactions worthy of praise in recent seasons. However, this is definitely one. Burke has carried over his G League success to the NBA.

Whenever given a chance, Burke produced. He was not a part of the rotation right away, but he made the most of his opportunities early on. He had back-to-back 18-point games on Jan. 23 and Jan. 25. He scored in double-figures two more times up until Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. He also had four DNPs and six games where he played fewer than 10 minutes.

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However, Valentine’s Day was the last time that Burke received a DNP, and unless he is injured, that should be the last one that he receives this season.

Following that DNP, Burke played motivated. He scored 26 points in back-to-back games on Feb. 22 and Feb. 24. It started a stretch of five consecutive double-digit scoring efforts. Since that time, Burke has shot under 45 percent in a game only twice. That is a stretch of 16 games. For a 39 percent career shooter coming into this season, that is quite an impressive feat.

That kind of consistency garnered attention from the coaching staff. Burke’s performance earned a larger role, and he received one. He has played fewer than 20 minutes only five times in this most recent stretch, earning a promotion to the starting lineup.

Burke’s production has not slowed with the role change. In his first game in the starting lineup with the Knicks and first start since March 25, 2015, Burke helped lead New York to a road victory over his former team in the Wizards. His encore performance in the starting lineup was even better.

The second night of a back-to-back is never easy for an NBA player. When you add in traveling to a second city in as many nights, it is even more difficult. Burke was not fazed, as he destroyed the Hornets.

The Knicks lost the game in overtime 137-128, but it was not for a lack of effort from Burke. He scored a career-high 42 points go to along with 12 assists and only two turnovers in 41 minutes.

How impressive was that performance? In the past 50 years, the only Knicks players to record at least 40 points and 10 assists in a game are Hall-of-Famers Walt Frazier and Bernard King.

When you are mentioned with those players, you are doing something right. It is crazy to think that Burke was in the G League only three months ago looking for a way to get back into the NBA.

New York provided that opportunity, and the team has to be glad it did. Burke has taken the opportunity handed to him and ran with it. What makes it even better for the Knicks is the future outlook.

Burke has a non-guaranteed salary of $1.8 million in 2018-19. At this point, it would be a no-brainer for the Knicks to guarantee that contract. Following that, the Knicks would also have Burke’s Early Bird Rights in the summer of 2019.

That means the Knicks would be allowed to go over the cap to keep him. That contract can be worth 105 percent greater than the average salary in 2018-19 for four years. This season, the average salary was $7.8 million. Burke will have a cap hold of $1.6 million in 2019.

That is still a far way off, as the Knicks have an offseason that begins in a few weeks to start prepping for. However, knowing that they have Burke on the books for next season at an affordable price, and possibly beyond, is reassuring.

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Burke has been great with the Knicks. Maybe he is a late bloomer who is coming into his own after a few seasons in the NBA. If that is the case, the Knicks are getting quite a diamond in the rough and could be filling a huge need going forward.

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