Pistons’ Bold Alec Burks Plans Amid Trade Interest, Revealed

The Detroit Pistons are expected to bring combo guard Alec Burks back next season, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The Pistons are expected to pick up the $10.5 million team option on Burks despite several playoff teams showing interest in him.

“The Pistons are expected to pick up the $10.5 million team option on Alec Burks, I’m told,” Scotto said. “There were a lot of teams calling about him that were playoff-caliber teams.

James L. Edwards III, who covers the Pistons for The Athletic, agreed with Scotto.

“I’ve heard that too,” Edwards III said. “I’d be absolutely floored if Burks’ option wasn’t picked up. He was really good for them last year. He’s a bucket. He’s a good locker room guy.”

Burks signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the New York Knicks in August 2021. The Knicks traded the Colorado product to the Pistons in July 2022. Burks appeared in 51 games for Detroit this season and averaged 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 81.4% from the free-throw line.

A Missouri native, Burks has career averages of 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 676 games with the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Knicks and Pistons.

Detroit won only 17 games this season. However, the losing netted the franchise the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft. It will be interesting to see who the Pistons select.

Monty Williams is the new head coach in Detroit. He took the job after getting fired by the Phoenix Suns. Williams is the highest-paid coach in the NBA now after signing a six-year, $78.5 million deal. He is the winningest coach in the NBA since 2021, so the Pistons are very lucky to have him.