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Golden State Warriors: All Alec Burks needed was the opportunity

By Nathan Beighle

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 10: Alec Burks #8 and Glenn Robinson III #22 of the Golden State Warriors seen playing the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 10, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 10: Alec Burks #8 and Glenn Robinson III #22 of the Golden State Warriors seen playing the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 10, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have been awful this season, but Alec Burks, an offseason addition, has provided a spark that should carry into next year.

Coming into the season, there were several question marks for the Golden State Warriors. The play of Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III, two veterans they signed for minimum-value contracts, were a few of the most pressing.

While Robinson III has been impressive, it’s been Burks that’s exploded onto the scene. When D’Angelo Russell sits, Burks and guard Damion Lee have been putting in the bulk of the work offensively.

Burks is averaging a career-high 15.9 points per game.

After not having many offers this past offseason, Burks refused to give up.

Still destined to be a backup, Burks has seen both Stephen curry and Russell miss extensive time this season, opening the door even wider for the veteran guard. Klay Thompson is also still a ways away from returning.

That opened the door for Burks, and he’s made his presence felt.

It’s not just his scoring though. It’s how he’s scoring. He’s averaging a career-high 1.7 threes per game, which, in a modern-day NBA laser-focused on three-point shooters, is of utmost importance.

That’s not to mention he’s also distributing the ball as well. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is averaging 3.1 assists per game, another career-high. Those three figures and his contract status has made Burks a coveted asset.

If you ask him though, he wants to stay in the Bay.

"“Yeah, I like it here,” Burks said following shoot-around Friday morning at Vivant Smart Home Arena. “Great culture, great players, great coaching staff. I would love to,” Burks told NBC Sports’ Logan Murdock."

Burks will be one of the many Warriors up for trade as we near the February 6 deadline. Dealing Burks to a contender just a few months ago when he put the pen to paper on that veteran’s minimum was not on the Warriors’ mind.

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After several injury-plagued, subpar seasons, Burks has exploded onto the scene, and he’s been terrific. He needed this to revive his career, and thankfully, it was Golden State who gave him that chance.

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