With projected starter Dante Exum likely lost for the entire 2015/16 campaign, Utah will look to 2013 No. 9 overall pick Trey Burke to take over as the team’s primary point guard. While Burke is no stranger to the starting role, having started a total of 111 contests during his first two seasons in the NBA, he hasn’t shown enough for the Jazz to view him as their point guard of the future, which in turn led to the 2014 NBA Draft lottery selection of Exum.
In a recent article, Brad Rock of The Deseret News speculated that this season would likely be the final chance for Burke to establish himself as an NBA starter, and noted that Utah’s playoff hopes in 2015/16 hinged on the play of the 22-year-old playmaker. Burke is certainly a fiery competitor and he has excellent intangibles that don’t show up in the nightly box score, but he also hasn’t shown the ability to shoot consistently since entering the league, with Burke owning a .374 mark from the field for his career. With today’s emphasis on guards who can stretch the floor and make it rain from beyond the arc, this certainly puts Burke at a disadvantage in the eyes of NBA scouts and front offices in regards to his future prospects.
This brings me to today’s topic: Is Trey Burke a viable long-term starting point guard in the NBA?
Do you believe that 2015/16 will be Burke’s breakout season, or is he more likely to disappoint with his play this year? Do you view him as a starting-caliber point guard, or is he better suited to be a reserve? Whichever side of the fence you are on regarding Burke, let’s have your best predictions for his stat line this season. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.
I gave up on Burke being a starter after he lost his spot to Exum last year. Looks like a Jerryd Bayless-type scorer off the bench unless he has a breakout year. I bet on Alec Burks being the starter.
Burks will probably start at the two, but he has played some point guard, so it’s conceivable the Jazz will at some point go with Burks at the point and Rodney Hood at the two.
Second or third stringer
His ceiling is a solid bench guard who can run the offense and score some points when needed while also being a capable spot starter in case of injury.
This is right, hes definitely not a third string guard.
I’ve never been sold on Burke as a starter. I actually think they should move on from Burke and start Bryce Cotton. Cotton shot 42% from the field compared to Burke’s 36.8%, 35% behind the arc compared to Burke’s 31.8%, and shot 83.3% from the foul line compared to Burke’s 75.2%. Cotton would also, mathematically, have more points and rebounds per game than Burke would if he played the same amount of minutes as Burke. The Jazz will probably not do this, but I figured that they would be willing to try anything they could to improve their spotty PG situation
Break Out Season .. Show and Prove Big Bro!! Your City is behind you .