Trey Burke
Trey Burke‘s contract actually doesn’t guarantee for the rest of the season until early January, but it would be a surprise to see him hit waivers beforehand. If the New York Knicks want to clear roster space before the season ends, though, could he become a trade candidate?
Either way, Burke’s contract, which he signed after a G-League stint in 2017-18, expires once 2018-19 ends. He can make up to $1.79 million.
Burke opened this season as the starting point guard, but lost this job after five games, when Fizdale made one of his frequent lineup changes. The Michigan man has not returned to this post, jumping between a “DNP-Coach’s Decision” and a reserve role, instead.
Burke remains out with a knee injury, which won’t help his cause, especially as Frank Ntilikina remerges from his own end-of-the-bench exile. Where that places him on the depth chart upon return will be interesting.
Couple that with Emmanuel Mudiay‘s rise as the starting point guard, and it seems unlikely Burke will reclaim this role or a major spot in the Knicks rotation. Losing a significant role may hurt his future standing and make him expendable.
Burke showed enough to find a backup job elsewhere, including that initial streak of games after returning from the end of the bench. Maybe on a one or two-year deal. If the Knicks want to move forward with Mudiay, Ntilikina or an outside name at point guard, though, it places the sixth-year man on the outside, looking in.
Prediction: Burke leaves in free agency