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Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Trey Burke

By Maxwell Ogden

WASHINGTON, DC -  JANUARY 14: Trey Burke #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  JANUARY 14: Trey Burke #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 4: Trey Burke #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washigton, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 4: Trey Burke #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2016 at Verizon Center in Washigton, DC. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Con: Limited Progress

This may seem like a harsh evaluation, but it’s fair to wonder if Trey Burke belongs in the NBA. He was the most outstanding player in the nation during his final college basketball season, but his skills simply haven’t translated to the next level.

If the New York Knicks are going to take a chance on Burke realizing his potential, then a message will need to be sent: Burke’s natural ability isn’t nearly enough to coast on.

Burke has solid court vision, a lethal midrange jump shot, and improving three-point range. Those abilities enabled him to be a first-round draft pick, but they haven’t been enough for Burke to get by on in the NBA.

It may have intrigued the masses when his natural abilities earned him an All-Rookie First Team nod in 2014, but it’s fair to state that he’s made little progress since.

Burke shot below 40 percent from the field in each of his first two seasons in the NBA. He averaged a career-best 17.9 points per 36 minutes on a solid slash line of .413/.344/.817 in 2015-16, but suffered a severe decline as a facilitator and continued to struggle on defense.

Burke has the natural ability of a potential All-Star, but the only way he’ll stick around in the NBA is if he accepts his flaws and turns his focus to them.