Buffs in the NBA: Alec Burks signs with New York Knicks

For the fifth time in 24 months, former Colorado Buffaloes star Alec Burks has changed NBA teams. After being traded from team to team, the 29-year-old has signed a one-year contract worth $6 million to play for the New York Knicks.

Burks spent the 2019-20 season between the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers. He was supposed to be a role player on a contending team both times, however the Warriors tanked amidst an injury crisis then traded him to Philly, where he ended up a useful piece while the Sixers flamed out in the playoffs.

Now on the rebuilding Knicks, Burks is headed for a lot of minutes until they inevitably trade him for a second round pick. New York has R.J. Barrett and Frank Ntilikina at the shooting guard position, then Elfrid Payton and Austin Rivers as primary point guards. Burks figures to play at both positions, particularly if Barrett spends more time as a forward than guard.

Entering his tenth season in the NBA (I feel so old), Burks is still a very solid player. He averaged a career-high 15.0 points per game last season, shot 38.5% from three and contributed as a playmaker. His defense isn’t great, but that doesn’t really matter if he’s coming off the bench. He should be a good value for a contender in need of a scoring guard, which I’m repeating because there’s a 97% chance Burks is traded by the deadline if he’s healthy.