Pistons reserve guard Alec Burks continues to pump up his trade value, despite the team’s woeful season. Burks tied his career high with 34 points on Monday as the Pistons defeated the Wizards and collected just their fourth win this season.
Burks is averaging 18.7 points over the last 11 games. He has an expiring $10.9MM contract and could help a contender in need of a shooter.
“I’m happy for AB, man. He’s a great vet. He can really score the ball,” forward Isaiah Stewart said, per Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “I love playing with him. Every time he steps out on the floor, he’s in range. He’s the type of guy that just hits all types of shots, and once he’s hot, he’s hot. Seeing him have a performance like that today, he deserved that and I’m happy for him.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu is dealing with a shoulder stinger, though he’s hopeful he won’t miss any games, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “In the San Antonio game, I had caught a stinger and it was bothering me. Pretty much all year but it wasn’t every day, just on the occasion when I got hit,” Dosunmu said. “And I got hit in San Antonio (on Saturday). (Monday), I went for an offensive rebound and there was some contact and my shoulder just went numb, dead and weak.”
- Patrick Williams missed Monday’s loss to Cleveland with a right ankle sprain but the Bulls power forward hasn’t contributed much on the stat sheet since Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returned from injuries, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times notes. Williams moved back to the second unit and averaged 6.0 points and 2.6 rebounds before injuring his ankle. “What I try to explain to Pat is everything you go through as a young guy will mold you and turn you into the pro you need to be,” DeMar DeRozan said. “Right now it can be tough trying to constantly figure out what’s needed from him, but my thing is once you get it you’ll find the appreciation of the ups and downs.”
- Bucks rookie Andre Jackson Jr., who won a national championship with UConn, recorded his first NBA double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Golden State on Saturday. Jackson was drafted with the No. 36 overall pick and traded to Milwaukee on draft night. “He made big-time plays,” coach Adrian Griffin told the Milwaukee Sun Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski and other media members. “He’s a big-time player. he was a winner in college. Has a motor like i haven’t seen in a long time. Imposes his will on the game. He just made big-time plays, he made winning plays. That’s who ‘Dre is. That was his first double-double. We needed every rebound. He had six offensive rebounds, he’s guarding the best layer on the other side. He’s shaping into being a really, really special player in this league.”
So Demar how about you don’t sign try to sign an extension here so Pat can finally move back his natural position at the 3, take your shot attempts, and not have to stand in the corner because you clog up the middle of the floor with your outdated mid-range game? That would be the best thing for Pat’s development. You leaving. Do your boy a favor.
Yeah, most NBA players make decisions on extensions based on making sure their teammates get more playing time.
You are correct. The Bulls will never know what Williams is capable of if Williams is the fifth option on offense. The trade deadline is Feb 8th. If the Bulls are out of contention the Bulls should trade DeRozan. Will be much easier to trade DeRozan than LaVine.
This is all true. Do you think the Bulls do what makes sense though?
Williams woes are DeM inflicted. Geee who knew ????
Alec Burks and Mike Muscala for Evan Fouriner and 2 second round picks.
Knicks aren’t using Fouriner anyway so it’s no loss for them in that department. They are basically giving away 2 second round picks for better depth.
In terms of replacing IQ’s impact of the bench so far Flynn averages 4 minutes per game in 4 games. McBride has been good as of recent with Brunson out but for the most part has been below average coming off the bench. Same with Grimes the occasional big game but mixed results overall.
Burks is a Thibs guy and would be a more consistent scoring threat off the bench. Even if they prefer Grimes and McBride he can sit ready waiting with the ability to play either guard role aswell. On top of that your getting Muscala, another big to help fill those centre minutes with Mitchell Robinson out. He’d also open up the floor as a career 37.5% from 3 shooter, which is a handy skill set to have in comparison to Robinson and Hartenstein two bruisers down low.
In my perspective it would be second round picks well spent
Detroit would say no. Evan Fournier and two 2nds to San Antonio for Keldon Johnson.
As a Knicks fan, I hope the GM pushes the button right now. But I would think the Spurs would want at least a lightly protected first.
I don’t think the Knicks want Burks back. They’ve already had one go-around with him. And Fournier’s value is his expiring contract, not the fact that they don’t use him. If/when they trade Fournier, I think they’re aiming a little higher than Burks.
Burks is not a PG – though Thibs may not realize that.
Knicks can get Tyus Jones for their Dallas FRP. For a team doomed to play ISO Ty Jones is a much better fit for the Knicks.
Burks could be a very good fit for the Lakers.
Muscala and Gallinari can only be traded on their own. Because of how they structured the trade they can’t even move them together.
But even in a more normal deal that doesn’t create trade exceptions these two guys couldn’t be combined with other guys on the roster on a new trade. I believe it’s a 2 month waiting period, maybe 3. Either way the deadline is earlier than that waiting period.
NYK might be interested in Burks as a deeper backup, but, with 5 guards in the regular rotation, he wouldn’t be a priority. Both Burks and Fournier are buyout guys if not dealt by the deadline, as are Gallo and Muscala. Burks might fetch a 2nd, but, at least right now, not from the NYK.
I assume the NYK, like most teams at the deadline, are focused on their rotation, not the end of the bench. The one need is a rotation level big who could back up IH and perhaps Randle. If a longer term upgrade is there, they’ll look, but that’s been the case for awhile. It’s not a deadline priority in particular.
Achiuwa backs up Randle. He’ll get his shot. I agree they should add a center. Rim protector, like to see Sims step up.
I haven’t seen Achiuwa play much together with IH, only backing him up at C, though he should be able to. Not sure what’s wrong with Sims, he was cleared to play but doesn’t look like his old self (no bounce). They released Gibson to fill that slot with a big. I assume they have some guys in mind.
Shootaround: Is Taj leaving the couch again, for another Knicks’ contract this season (considering the playoffs)? Will the Knicks FO/Thibs dial his number again this season?