Utah Jazz rank ’18-19: Alec Burks hits the list at No. 11
By Ryan Aston
Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks has the feel of an X-factor as the team gets set to take on the 2018-19 NBA season.
If anyone’s NBA career can aptly be described as a roller coaster, it’s Alec Burks‘ crazy seven-year run in Salt Lake City. At one time, Burks was considered a core piece for the Utah Jazz; a big-time athlete, skilled scorer and a shoe-in for the starting two-guard spot.
Now, his situation is far less certain. He’s only 27 years old, but Burks has already endured a career’s worth of injury setbacks. In turn, his role and standing with the team have both veered toward mop-up status. At times, he’s felt like an afterthought on Utah’s roster. As a result, he enters our 2018-19 Jazz preseason player rankings at No. 11.
That said, this could be the comeback campaign for the former Colorado star. Even as the team’s crowded backcourt became more of a jumble with Grayson Allen joining the fold, Burks could play a role in the Jazz’s continued ascent to the top of the Wild West.
In a league where switching defenses are becoming more prevalent all the time, Burks’ ability to beat an individual match-up, break down the D and get to the basket have regained a lot of value.
During the team’s second-round series with the Houston Rockets, Burks showed he can still ball out when given the chance, rising to the call when injuries forced him back into the team’s rotation. Over his nine-game playoff run, he averaged a cool 25 points, seven boards and five assists per 36 minutes during postseason play.
Those efforts give him the feel of an X-factor for one of the deepest teams in the Association.
On the flip side, Burks’ style occasionally seems at odds with what the Jazz are trying to accomplish as a team offensively. The Jazz were 5.9 points per 100 possessions worse when he was on the court during the regular season. And despite his “Houdini” rep, Burks’ rim finishing has always been a little suspect.
Last season, he scored at a 60.2 percent clip in the restricted area, but his number for the previous three seasons were 40.3, 52.3 and 47.9 percent, respectively. His jump shot has been up and down as well. After knocking down 40 percent of his triples in 2015-16, he’s been under the 34 percent mark over the last two seasons.
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I will say this — when Burks’ numbers faltered, he was battling a litany of major injuries. Last season, he remained healthy throughout. And that continues to be the case entering this season.
The Jazz ought not be paying a player $11.5 million to be the 11th guy off the bench, but if Burks can stay healthy and make the most of his opportunities, it’s not a forgone conclusion that Allen simply comes in and takes his minutes. Burks has shown he can still help the team and is no doubt eager to prove his game remains intact.
At worst, he’s a trade chip as either an expiring deal or a player whose value is probably higher than it has been in years.