2. Alec Burks, rotation member?
No one ever said Alec Burks couldn’t put up numbers.
Burks dropped 13 points in Sunday’s loss to OKC after a solid seven-point outing against Memphis. Before he arrived in Philadelphia at the trade deadline, Burks was averaging over 16 points per game. He can score the basketball.
For Philadelphia, however, Burks’ volume scoring hasn’t yet earned him a consistent role. As far as Brett Brown’s nine-man playoff rotation, it appears Burks is currently on the outside looking in. He will get minutes in the regular season (and in this scrimmage), but his immediate future is otherwise bleak.
Dallas provides the chance for an extended audition. Glenn Robinson III is questionable to play due to a hip pointer he sustained in the OKC game. If Robinson does play, his minutes will probably be limited. The result is a greater opportunity for Burks, who again, is no stranger to impressive stat lines.
The main storyline from these scrimmages has been Philadelphia taking the ball out of Ben Simmons’ hands in the halfcourt. As a result, Shake Milton and Josh Richardson have been charged with initiating the offense.
Burks can occupy a similar space, and given the early success of Simmons at “power forward,” it would make sense for Burks to have a bigger role than he currently does. A capable pull-up shooter with deep range, Burks is someone who can thrive in a more pick-and-roll oriented offense. The Sixers benefit from anyone who can score and pass off the bounce.
This is a chance for Burks to really make some noise. He deserves an extended look, and he’s finally set to get one.