Trey Burke Opts to Stay a Free Agent, Backs Out of Deal With the Oklahoma City Thunder
One would assume that the Oklahoma City Thunder could become a marquee free agent destination after they acquired Paul George and Carmelo Anthony this offseason. But apparently, that's not the case — at least for Trey Burke.
The Thunder were supposed to be in the process of finalizing a nonguaranteed contract with Burke, but it seemed that the fifth-year pro from the University of Michigan has decided to back out of the deal over the weekend, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.
Burke would have joined a team that could make a lot of noise in the Western Conference next season since the Thunder had just completed a trade to bring Anthony to Oklahoma on the same day. Instead, he has decided to remain a free agent.
He was supposed to battle Semaj Christon for the team's third point guard spot in training camp. And even if he wins the job, he probably won't be seeing much playing time behind reigning league most valuable player Russell Westbrook and veteran point guard Raymond Felton.
Burke was selected by the Utah Jazz with the ninth overall pick of the 2013 draft. They gave him a chance to develop in his first two seasons in the league, but he struggled on both ends of the floor. The team eventually moved him to the bench in the 2015–16 season and he was traded to the Washington Wizards in the 2016 offseason.
In 57 games with the Wizards last season, Burke averaged five points and 1.8 assists while playing 12.3 minutes per game. He shot 45.7 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from beyond the three-point line.
Burke worked out for the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this month, but they have already signed Aaron Brooks. The New York Knicks were reportedly interested in him as well. However, they decided to sign Jarrett Jack instead.
