Trey Burke is being actively shopped for a 2nd-round pick. Reasonable price for a reasonable contract that's expiring after this season. Unlike the other times when he's been shopped - he has a lot of value. His fade out of the rotation has more to do with the Knicks being awful and wanting to baptize their young talent rather than win 10% more games with a guy who "is what he is." Quick links here and here on some rumored trade destinations. I'd personally prefer:
1. Lakers - Neither Rondo or Lonzo ball are healthy, and neither can shoot the basketball. LeBron is a de-facto point guard, and he's always been able to elevate guys who hunt for their shots. I could see Burke having a moment here, and meshing well with LeBron. It could also allow the Lakers to part with Ball in a package for Anthony Davis - which is clearly what they want.
2. 76ers - Ben Simmons and the 76ers can't shoot, and a bench scorer seems to be the most appropriate role for Burke. Plus I'd love to see Burke on a true contender if he's actually getting PT.
3. Pistons - The Pistons seem determined to make a move and actually try. Burke is a reasonable price and contract. At best, he overachieves and gives Blake Griffin a side-kick who actually gives an F. At worst, he's a challenger to Reggie Jackson (perhaps getting him to elevate his game) and we get to see him back in Michigan.
Aside from this, our NBA guys are in generally good spots.
- Levert is a centerpiece in Brooklyn, despite his injury.
- Hardaway has a massive contract and can score the basketball. He's part of the Knicks plan, but hopefully he can eventually settle into a #2-3 role like he was in at UofM
- DJ Wilson has usurped minutes from Thon Maker on a true contender
- Nik Stauskas seems to be settling in to the right role on the right team on the right stage for him. 10-20 minutes a game, less pressure. Gets to win games. Good for him.
- Glenn Robinson confuses me. Feels like he should be getting a little more run on the bad/dysfunctional Pistons. But if he can't here I don't know that he won't get passed by for the next Glenn Robinson out of college when he's a free agent next.
- Mo Wagner is a first-round pick (so will be given a little extra leash), but even so he's been on the NBA roster more often recently. And seems to be well-liked by his teammates
- Duncan Robinson has played in 4 NBA games, and is averaging 20 points on 48% 3-point shooting. Feels like his stock is only going up and he's more likely to end up on an NBA roster than Walton was in a similar situation last year.
- Jamal Crawford seems like he's finally showing his age. But no better place to do it than in Phoenix with no pressure and a million dollar contract. Side note Jamal Crawford was the reason a really young 4thCoast wore a headband in his RecEd games, and by extension probably a major reason I'm writing this post.
- MAAR and Zak Irvin are playing G-League, but don't seem on the cusp of the NBA.
- Manny Harris is still overseas and presumably cashing in on his talent, so good for him. Still think he might have had a different NBA career with one or two different breaks.
1. Lakers - Neither Rondo or Lonzo ball are healthy, and neither can shoot the basketball. LeBron is a de-facto point guard, and he's always been able to elevate guys who hunt for their shots. I could see Burke having a moment here, and meshing well with LeBron. It could also allow the Lakers to part with Ball in a package for Anthony Davis - which is clearly what they want.
2. 76ers - Ben Simmons and the 76ers can't shoot, and a bench scorer seems to be the most appropriate role for Burke. Plus I'd love to see Burke on a true contender if he's actually getting PT.
3. Pistons - The Pistons seem determined to make a move and actually try. Burke is a reasonable price and contract. At best, he overachieves and gives Blake Griffin a side-kick who actually gives an F. At worst, he's a challenger to Reggie Jackson (perhaps getting him to elevate his game) and we get to see him back in Michigan.
Aside from this, our NBA guys are in generally good spots.
- Levert is a centerpiece in Brooklyn, despite his injury.
- Hardaway has a massive contract and can score the basketball. He's part of the Knicks plan, but hopefully he can eventually settle into a #2-3 role like he was in at UofM
- DJ Wilson has usurped minutes from Thon Maker on a true contender
- Nik Stauskas seems to be settling in to the right role on the right team on the right stage for him. 10-20 minutes a game, less pressure. Gets to win games. Good for him.
- Glenn Robinson confuses me. Feels like he should be getting a little more run on the bad/dysfunctional Pistons. But if he can't here I don't know that he won't get passed by for the next Glenn Robinson out of college when he's a free agent next.
- Mo Wagner is a first-round pick (so will be given a little extra leash), but even so he's been on the NBA roster more often recently. And seems to be well-liked by his teammates
- Duncan Robinson has played in 4 NBA games, and is averaging 20 points on 48% 3-point shooting. Feels like his stock is only going up and he's more likely to end up on an NBA roster than Walton was in a similar situation last year.
- Jamal Crawford seems like he's finally showing his age. But no better place to do it than in Phoenix with no pressure and a million dollar contract. Side note Jamal Crawford was the reason a really young 4thCoast wore a headband in his RecEd games, and by extension probably a major reason I'm writing this post.
- MAAR and Zak Irvin are playing G-League, but don't seem on the cusp of the NBA.
- Manny Harris is still overseas and presumably cashing in on his talent, so good for him. Still think he might have had a different NBA career with one or two different breaks.
