Philadelphia 76ers could bring back Trey Burke at NBA Disney

If misfortune strikes, the Philadelphia 76ers could re-sign Trey Burke for the stretch run.

With the NBA finally set to return in July, the Philadelphia 76ers and 21 other teams are gearing up for eight regular season games. Upon the conclusion of the regular season, a play-in tournament seems inevitable in the West. Then, of course, the playoffs.

The Sixers are healthy entering the final stretch. The three-month hiatus was a blessing in disguise for Ben Simmons, who was able to nurse his back ailment. Josh Richardson also got to rest a wobbly hamstring that was still bothering him not long before the season was suspended.

In short, injuries aren’t a major concern for the Sixers — at least not right now. Philadelphia can instead focus on figuring out the rotation, as Brett Brown has yet to decide on his starting five. Will Al Horford resume his post, or will Shake Milton get the upgrade he deserves?

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If injury does befall a Sixers player, however, a new NBA rule would allow Philadelphia to find a quick replacement. The most likely candidate: Trey Burke.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks, here are the likely criteria for signing a replacement player.

"“Eligible replacement players probably will have had to be signed in the NBA or G League or be on training camp contracts this season, sources said. Under these restrictions, for example, no team could sign veteran Jamal Crawford — who went unsigned all season — or an international player”"

This makes the most sense when it comes to protecting competitive balance down the stretch. For the Sixers, it makes Trey Burke the obvious solution to a major injury — someone with NBA experience who has been on the roster and understands Brett Brown’s system.

Obviously, Burke is a deeply flawed player who is unlikely to swing the pendulum in a positive direction for Philadelphia. There’s a reason the Sixers released him and not Kyle O’Quinn, who occupies a position of less importance. The Sixers also make the explicit choice of Raul Neto over Trey Burke at backup point guard.

If Burke does rejoin the roster, however, he’s the kind of spark-plug scorer who could jolt the second unit to life in small doses. Once upon a time, the Sixers won a playoff game almost entirely on the back of T.J. McConnell. You can’t discount Burke’s ability to positively impact a game or two.

The same provision proposed by Wojnarowski and Marks would also allow the Sixers to promote Marial Shayok to the regular roster. Burke has more NBA experience, but it’s not out of the question for Philadelphia to prefer Shayok’s size and shooting. It may depend on who gets hypothetically hurt (or sick).

As for notable players who were on the Sixers’ training camp roster who may, in extreme cases, enter the conversation: Jonah Bolden, Isaiah Miles, and Christ Koumadje.

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Hopefully this entire article becomes null and void. The Sixers stay healthy, and Burke remains an afterthought in a largely forgettable season. But, if something goes wrong, the former Michigan standout could rejoin the roster in Orlando.