Is Golden State Warriors’ veteran small forward Alec Burks worth a first-round pick?
The Golden State Warriors are not shying away from talking about the upcoming trade deadline
In a day and age where a player is only as valuable as the price at which they can be moved, the Warriors have been a team centered on chemistry and dominance over the past half a decade.
Players like Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala have been staples for the Golden State bench the past few seasons. However, those that have filled the role on this 9-25 team, don’t share the same security.
And, to be fair, it’s a problem the Warriors dug themselves into.
"“As much as the Warriors like Burks, and they most assuredly do, they are willing, according to league sources, to part with him — and several other veterans — for the right deal. Why consider moving arguably their most proficient offensive player? Because they want to create room to accommodate two-way guards Damion Lee and Ky Bowman,” Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area reported."
The Warriors need the cap to bring on Ky Bowman and Damion Lee. They don’t have that right now as they’re pressed against the league’s hard cap and need to find a way to move some veteran assets.
Alec Burks is first on the list, but what is his price tag?
Burks is averaging a career-high 15.5 points and 1.5 threes per game. He’s been efficient from almost all areas of the court, and it’d be a shame to see the player that signed with championship aspirations part ways after such a terrific start to the season.
However, the Warriors may have their hand forced, especially if the Celtics or Rockets come calling. Standing 6-foot-6, Burks is a terrific two-way player that should provide quality late-game minutes to any potential contender.
Burks, a player that’ll boost any team’s bench tremendously, should be a sought after target by teams like Boston and Houston who are among the league’s worst teams in bench scoring. He’s worth a first-round pick from a team that will have one in the last five picks of the upcoming draft.
The Golden State Warriors need draft capital this offseason, and as a player that’ll transcend a bench unit, Burks is worth a first-round pick. If that offer is there, it should be a no-brainer for the Warriors.