When the Cleveland Cavaliers take the court tonight at the T.D. Garden, one player will make his Wine and Gold debut. That would be Alec Burks, the eighth-year guard acquired from the Utah-Korver trade.
According to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play Alec Burks in his first action as a member of the roster against Boston Friday night. Burks was acquired just two days ago along with two second-rounders in the deal that sent Kyle Korver to the Western Conference.
Larry Drew said Alec Burks will play tonight against the Celtics
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) November 30, 2018
Burks is an intriguing case. He’s been dealing with injuries since coming into the league as the 12th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and it’s the main reason the Jazz had no worries parting ways with him. While he provides a lot of range in terms of body build for a guard, him not contributing to live games is about as useful as those second-rounders Utah sent with him. That and the development mixed with good health of fellow first-rounder Dante Exum has the Jazz feeling quite set with young guards.
Before diving into the playing aspect, Burks’ contract is important here. He has an expiring deal that the Cavs could either flip before the trade deadline or hold onto him and let Burks walk in free agency. Or, they could really enjoy his contributions to the team and look to extend him in the summer.
Because here’s the thing, Burks does hold potential on this Cleveland squad. His career-high average of fourteen points per game came back in the 2013-14 season, a season in which he only started twelve games. The former Colorado product was a reliable scoring option off the bench for a Jazz team that was really young still. Of note, that Jazz team missed the playoffs.
It’s only of note because Burks is heading to a situation with some remnants of the past. He knows how to deal with a guard-heavy roster and finding minutes to make an impression. He’s never been an issue with locker rooms and that’s always a plus, as well.
If you’re really trying to find something to nitpick Burks on, it’s his defense. His, much like most of this Cavaliers team, could use some work.
George Hill remains out, though. And with that time still needed to be divvied up between the one’s and two’s, now is the perfect time for Burks to sneak in and turn some heads.
It’s unknown how much time Burks will get tonight, something we’ll more or less figure out between the lines later.