MassLive’s Brian Robb is reporting that the Boston Celtics passed on trading for New York Knicks reserve wing Alec Burks to take into their $17.1 million traded player exception (TPE) created when these two teams signed and traded Evan Fournier to New York last season.
Per Robb, Boston did not bite on an offer for Burks “in hopes of making a bigger splash” despite a “marginal sweetener involved” earlier this month to absorb the roughly $10 million salary of the 6-foot-6 wing. As the MassLive author notes, Burks mediocre defense and poor overall shooting (39% from the floor) offsets his perimeter shooting (40% last season) when one considers he also had foot surgery to end last season.
With the Knicks wing’s status for next season’s start and the degree his recovery might affect his play moving forward, Burks is not the most attractive target Boston could use that resource on even with a second-round pick or two attached.
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There’s also a chance he could be cut by the Detroit Pistons — where Burks ultimately ended up via trade this week — who may not have a use for the veteran this season, making him eligible to be picked up via a minimum deal if he were so disposed.
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