The Sixer Sense
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Is Trey Burke a two-way contract option?

By Christopher Kline

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 6: Trey Burke #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during a game against the Orlando Magic on December 6, 2016 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 6: Trey Burke #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during a game against the Orlando Magic on December 6, 2016 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former lottery pick Trey Burke is still without a home this offseason. Could the Philadelphia 76ers nab him on a two-way deal?

It wasn’t too long ago that Trey Burke was one of the most hyped players in his draft class. He was largely consider 2013’s best point guard prospect, while some of the league’s less-prophetic minds dubbed him a steal when the Utah Jazz took him off the board with the No. 9 overall pick.

Now, just four seasons into his NBA career, Burke is without a home. The Jazz traded him last offseason, dumping him for a second round pick in a deal that emphatically depressed any optimism surrounding Burke’s future prospects.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

He went on to operate as the Wizards’ third-string point guard last season, averaging just five points per contest while logging a career-low 12.3 minutes per game. As somebody who spent the first two years of his career as a starting point guard, the descent hasn’t been all that kind to the 24-year-old out of Michigan.

A smaller guard in a league that stresses versatility, Burke’s weak points have become exponentially more noticeable since 2013. He’s a liability at times on the defensive end, while his jumper has rarely found stability.

Last season did bring some subtle improvements for Burke, though, and the Philadelphia 76ers should still be interested in a young guard of his status. There were times last season where the former Naismith Player of the Year looked the part of an NBA player, and giving him another shot under one of the league’s best developmental staffs could be a smart investment for Bryan Colangelo and company in the front office.

There’s no guarentee that Burke is willing to accept a two-way contract, and that’s the only roster spot Philly has left. He’d likely be the best player to sign one thus far, while his expectations entering this summer were much higher than a season split between the bottom of the bench and the G-League.

Burke’s struggles, however, have damaged his stock rather significantly. He still doesn’t have a team with August nearing it’s end, and smaller point guards don’t have the same leverage they once did on the open market.

The Sixers need to, at the very least, get on the phone and ask.

With Burke, his future success is dependent on his consistency. He won’t be a starter, but he still has the nifty ball handling and pick-and-roll prowess that once made him a coveted asset entering the league — and one of the best point guards of this generation in the collegiate ranks.

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Being 6-foot-1 is a limitation, but Burke’s foremost struggles thus far have stemmed from his shooting. He’s only a career 33.7 percent shooter from deep, and that’s after a sharp spike last season.

Last season, though, could be the beginning of the improvement Burke has desperately needed. Albeit in a far more limited capacity than years prior, he was able to hit on 44.3 percent of  his shots from deep — an impressive total in almost any role.

If he’s able to remain remotely close to that in the coming years, he could feasibly be the Sixers’ long-term replacement to Jerryd Bayless in the second unit.

While my optimism may be futile, there’s still a lot to like about Burke’s game. He’s generally a smart player, and that still shows up in flashes. His ability to probe the defense and make reads in the pick-and-roll still leads to some pretty dimes around the basket, while his mid-range game works as a nice compliment.

His quick first step allows him to penetrate the defense with a relative ease as well. A simple screen or a glimmer of space is enough to get him going downhill, which often results in a swift pull-up or a nice dish en route to the basket.

Defense is an issue, while Burke’s best moments have been sandwiched between horrendous shooting and lackluster decision making. There’s no certainty as to whether or not signing Burke would yield anything of note, and his long-term projections are still miles below anything that was expected when he entered the league just four years back.

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The talent is there, though, and not taking that flier could be something a team like Philadelphia regrets. A steady playmaker who can bring a decent scoring punch off the pine is an archetype that’s still within reach for Burke, and that’s something any team — especially one with uncertainty on the perimeter — can benefit from.