Trey Burke may have just a partially guaranteed training camp contract with the Sixers, but he’s overflowing with confidence that he can win a roster spot, relays Marc Narducci of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 26-year-old guard is expected to battle fellow free agent addition Raul Neto for playing time behind Ben Simmons and possibly a place on the team. However, Burke envisions a much larger role for himself.
“I think throughout stretches of the game we (Burke and Simmons) can play together and I can be out there with the starting lineup at times,” he told reporters. “That is the competitor in Trey Burke. That is who I am and what I bring to Philadelphia.”
Burke – whose minimum-salary contract reportedly has a $405K partial guarantee – hasn’t enjoyed a consistent role like that since his second season in the league. He was been with four teams in the past four years, splitting last season between the Knicks and Mavericks.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Celtics signed Enes Kanter with the expectation that he will shoot more from the perimeter, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Kanter’s first step was to get together with Gordon Hayward, whom he played with in Utah, and a few more of his new teammates. “When I was in Boston, I played with (Hayward) in two-on-two action and I feel like he’s gained more confidence,” Kanter said. “When he played, he wasn’t scared of anything. It was me, Gordon, Jaylen Brown and Tacko (Fall). I was guarding Tacko. He’s good, man, and I love him. His personality is amazing, real good character. He’s a hard worker. I’m definitely really excited to play with him.”
- Kanter made an appeal for someone to sign Carmelo Anthony during an appearance Wednesday morning on FOX Sports 1’s “First Things First” (Twitter link). “So you’re telling me a guy like ‘Melo can’t make a 15-man roster on 30 teams? It’s definitely crazy,” Kanter said. “Melo belongs in the NBA and he can still get 15-20 points.”
- Malachi Richardson will play in Israel this season, but he tells Ben Stinar of Amico Hoops that he hasn’t given up on his NBA dream. “I think I just have to show teams who I am,” he said. “Just being able to go and play and just showing, ‘OK, this is why he was a first-round pick.’” Richardson played 22 games for the Raptors last season before being traded at the deadline to the Sixers, who waived him the next day.
Burke had great workouts yesterday and today in Columbus with his personal trainer and a Sixers assistant coach. He’s checked their boxes so far.
I still resent him for hitting that long bomb against Kansas in 2013 NCAA to force overtime. Not that I like Kansas but clipped me for some $$$.
“Melo belongs in the NBA and he can still get 15-20 points.” But he’s going to give up 25 on the other end. Kanter is the same sieve so wouldn’t expect him to get it.
Exactly. Plus the locker room cancer to have a guy who’s out there to get “his.”
Burke “envisions a larger role for himself”, but that role includes Simmons, so his vision is not what I would call selfish. Still, Neto is likely the pure PG choice and Richardson plays better defense.
If Burke can fill in gaps around Simmons (which is how I interpret that comment) and Richardson doesn’t, he could get some starts. Matchups will matter.
The NBA has changed in a “non-Melo” way. But can we quit trashing a future HoF player. Is it a crime to appreciate his career? Many of you live in the current and forget the past. Melo was an All-NBA talent and I like to remember that. Just a little respect would go a long way.
Locker room cancer?! Come on man, just stop it.
He’s always been well liked by teammates as a guy. They may not like his game, but to call him a cancer is ridiculous.
This is the same dude in OKC that pulled himself in Q4 of a game because Grant was contributing more that night. PG spoke glowingly of him as a guy, and look at the class he showed during Phil Jax barrage of idiocy.