On Friday morning, Trey Burke sat in the front row of the arena he used to play in.
A lot has changed in five years. That building is now Vivint Smart Home Arena instead of EnergySolutions. He’s rocking cornrows now, instead of his normal fade haircut with the sharp lineup. He’s a member of the New York Knicks and no longer a member of the Utah Jazz.
He’s also in the NBA.
A month ago, that wasn’t the case. As the Knicks squared off against the Jazz on Friday night, Burke was simply happy to once again be a part of the show. When he entered the game at the end of the first quarter, he drew more boos than cheers, but that was hardly of concern. And he no longer carries the stature of a lottery pick. Instead, he had to put in a stint in the G League with the Westchester Knicks before securing a contract with the Knicks for the remainder of the season.
Beyond that, nothing is promised.
“I wanted to go to the G League because I wanted to show what I could do,” Burke said. “I wanted to show that I remade myself and I wanted to be in a good situation. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the last few years.”
Eyebrows raised before the season when Burke committed to a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for training camp and then backed out. In truth, Burke didn’t want to become a basketball vagabond. Even through a difficult road after the Jazz traded him to the Washington Wizards, Burke craved security. He felt going to the G League and playing well would be that ticket.
Burke was exceptional with the Westchester Knicks, averaging 26.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. He displayed an ability to get a shot anytime he wanted, the same ability that made him a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He never pouted, and the Knicks rewarded him with a contract.
“Trey is someone who can help us,” Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. “I obviously know him from when he was with the Jazz, so there was already a relationship there. We have a few point guards ahead of him, and a young kid that we are trying to develop. But we really like Trey, and we’re happy to have him.”
Burke is candid about some the things that have gone wrong in his career, and takes some ownership of his exit from Utah. On Friday, he admitted that the Jazz drafting Dante Exum messed with his head. He began last season with the Wizards as the primary backup, but quickly fell out of favor there.
As a result, it came as no surprise that Burke went through free agency this summer without much interest. His road back was unique because it’s seldom a player willingly turns down an NBA contract offer to go to the G League. But, Burke hopes it shows he’s willing to do whatever it takes to stay in the league.
“I’m definitely happy to be back,” Burke said. “I’m happy to be here in Utah, playing again. This is where it all started. I’m blessed.”
