The Cleveland Cavaliers have been using Alec Burks a lot since acquiring him in November. Burks has been used in a bench and starting capacity with the Wine and Gold but he may not have a role in Cleveland much longer due to his recent play.
When the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired eighth-year guard Alec Burks from the Utah Jazz in November in essentially a swap of him and sharpshooter Kyle Korver, the team was receiving an injury-prone player that had lost out on some opportunities due to unavailability. After getting healthy, the Jazz sent him to a spot in Cleveland where he would absolutely get some playing time.
Burks, for the most part, has the made the most out of his role.
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After playing 28 games for the Cavaliers, Burks has posted 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 28.0 minutes per game. He’s started 18 games and has accumulated 15 double-digit scoring games, which is primarily the reason the team had interest in him.
That and the understood value Burks immediately would and did have once they acquired him. Teams were reportedly calling them then and it sounds like they’re calling now.
Burks has seen his role change a few times throughout his short tenure with the Cavaliers, beginning with coming off of the bench for his first five games before starting alongside rookie Collin Sexton. He’s seen his starting chances come and go due to the inconsistency of the Wine and Gold’s lineup looks but has mostly been a starter since his sixth game with Cleveland, per Basketball Reference.
However, his next role may be with another team due to his last stretch of performances.
With the NBA Trade Deadline approaching quickly, Burks is playing for his future with Cleveland.
His name, just like former Utah Jazz teammate Rodney Hood‘s, has been one of the most-talked about when it comes to who will be moved by the organization and the chatter has seemingly gotten louder (per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, subscription required and h/t Sam Amico of Amico Hoops).
In his last four games, Burks has failed to reach double-digit scoring, per Basketball Reference. It doesn’t get better past that stat, as he’s only hit a high of eight points in that same stretch and it all comes while in the starting lineup. He’s shot a combined 8-for-29 from the floor, which is good enough for an abysmal 27.5 percent clip.
During Monday’s game with the Chicago Bulls, Burks was seen sitting on the bench a lot more than playing on the court, seeing just over 17 minutes in possibly the most embarrassing loss of the season.
That doesn’t bode well for his Cavaliers’ future. Honestly, this poor run of games, while only four contests in total, may have signaled the end of Burks’ time with Cleveland.
He might have had a good amount of suitors willing to take him on a few weeks ago but his recent play may have hurt his stock this close to the trade deadline. That leaves his options limited and the probability he lands somewhere ideal in his eyes is not likely.