Alec Burks seeks stability with Warriors after a season of bouncing around

After a hectic season and offseason, shooting guard Alec Burks could find stability in the 2019-20 season with the Warriors. 

Burks signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract with the Warriors Monday. Burks told media gathered at the Warriors practice facility in Oakland on Friday:

“I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a tradition like this before. Utah was known for winning before I got there, but they’re just starting to get back up to that level. So to come here with a championship aspiration every season, it’s different. It should be fun.”

Burks began his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, where he played for eight seasons before being traded to the Cavaliers on Nov. 29, 2018. After a brief three-month stint with Cleveland, Burks was traded to Sacramento, where he finished the season. It was Burks’ third team in both his NBA career and in the 2018-19 season. Burks said:

“I’ve never been traded before, and to get traded twice, it was just a whirlwind. But things happen in the NBA like that. I liked every situation I was in, everyone showing a lot of love.”

The former first-rounder has had an up and down career in the NBA, hampered by injuries, which Burks acknowledged hampered his development:

“I hurt my ankle, that really set me back a couple of years. The league evolves every season, so if you don’t evolve with it … it can leave you in the dust.”

Burks was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He has averaged 9.5 points per game alongside shooting 42.3 from the floor and 35.5 from three-point range. Along with other new additions to the Warriors lineup, the 27-year-old will have to contribute to filling the hole left by Kevin Durant.

Burks said:

“Nobody can replace an MVP Hall of Famer like that. That’s a collective effort. I saw that and feel like there’s an opportunity here. That drove the decision, too.”

Durant has left for Brooklyn, though there is no shortage of star power in the Pacific Division due to an eventful offseason. By joining the Warriors, Burks will play against high-end talent like Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard. Burks said:

“The league is wild right now. It’s a wild, wild summer. It’s always good to play against the best players … so it should be fun.”

This wild offseason is what lead Burks to the Bay Area. He initially signed with Oklahoma City on July 2, hoping to play alongside George and Russell Westbrook. However, both All-Stars were traded away and the Thunder allowed Burks to pursue other options. Burks said:

“I’ve been worried about my situation, I feel like it was crazy for me. All the all-stars and future hall of famers that moved, it’s the league we’re in.” 

However, by joining the Warriors, Burks could have a big role for a transitioning team. Burks said:

“The [NBA] is about opportunity, everybody knows that. To get a chance to play consistently, that’s a great thing.”