The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly showing a keen interest in Detroit Pistons guard/forward Alec Burks, according to a source close to Hoops Wire. This interest comes as the Pelicans consider reshaping their roster ahead of the looming NBA trade deadline on February 8. Will Guillory of The Athletic has hinted at the possibility of the Pelicans moving point guardKira Lewis Jr., describing the move as “inevitable.”
“The Pelicans have interest in Pistons guard/forward Alec Burks, a league source told Hoops Wire.”
At a 10.4 Million dollar salary if the Pelicans do trade for Burks there would be an odd combination of players leaving if they want to get under the Tax.
Burks, who has been a standout for the Pistons despite their challenging season, recently matched his career-high with a 34-point game, further bolstering his trade value. At 6-foot-6 and 214 pounds, Burks has demonstrated his versatility as both a shooting guard and small forward, contributing significantly to the Pistons’ offense.
Burks’ current season statistics are impressive, averaging 12.2 points per game with a field goal percentage of 39.7%, and a noteworthy three-point shooting percentage of 39.9%. His free-throw shooting is particularly strong, with an 88.7% success rate. These figures underscore his potential value to the Pelicans, who are looking to enhance their three-point shooting capabilities.
Guillory suggests that New Orleans is likely to have a relatively subdued approach to the trade deadline, focusing primarily on acquiring a proficient shooter to augment their offensive strategy. Alec Burks, with his proven scoring ability and high efficiency from beyond the arc, emerges as a fitting target for the Pelicans as they aim to strengthen their roster in pursuit of a deeper playoff run.
