New York Knicks: 5 players to target on one-year contracts in 2019 free agency

3. Alec Burks

Alec Burks was an athletic slasher out of Colorado in 2011. He could hit the rim and had the wingspan to cover his opponents adequately. That upside flashed in the 2013-14 season, before injuries destroyed Burks’ next five years, which included stops in Cleveland and Sacramento as recently as 2018-19.

Burks never stood a chance with the Kings after his midseason trade, playing just two games of more than 20 minutes. Otherwise, he sat at the end of the bench, averaging fewer than two points per contest.

So value is not exactly high for Burks right now, despite making nearly 38 percent of his three-pointers with the Cavaliers. He probably will not make eight figures again, but for something around $5 million, the New York Knicks can take a chance for their backcourt, which needs depth.

Burks is not the most inspiring choice, but he can be New York’s next reclamation project in another lost year, pending no big names sign in free agency. There is a rotational opportunity to thrive, pushing Damyean Dotson and Allonzo Trier for minutes as a reserve, while potential No. 3 pick RJ Barrett starts.

It might not result in anything more than seven or eight points per game, but Burks’ salary is enough for payroll filler as the Knicks wait out another long season if their summer goes silent fast.