Heat, Alec Burks Agree to One-Year Contract

The Miami Heat and free agent guard Alec Burks agreed to a one-year deal on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Anthony Fields and Rich Paul of Klutch Sports negotiated the deal with the Heat front office.

Miami Heat guard Alec Burks has averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 742 career games

Burks, who turns 33 on July 20, was selected 12th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2012 NBA draft out of Colorado. In 742 career games (144 starts), he has averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

He has played for seven teams across his 13-year career: Jazz (2011-18), Cleveland Cavaliers (2018-19 season), Sacramento Kings (2018-19 season), Golden State Warriors (2019-20 season), Philadelphia 76ers (2019-20 season), New York Knicks (2020-22, 2023-24 season), and Detroit Pistons (2022-24).

Burks was acquired by the Knicks from Detroit in a trade deadline deal last season. In 23 games with New York, he averaged 6.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 13.5 minutes per contest to end the regular season.

After OG Anunoby’s injury in the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers, Burks received extended playing time from off the bench and averaged 17.8 points on 51% shooting across five games in that series.

Additionally, his usage percentage (24.4%) was also his best since the 2015-16 season. He should help strengthen Miami’s backcourt next season. The Heat are now Burks’ eighth NBA team.

Burks scored a season-high 26 points in the New York Knicks’ Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised the Missouri native for stepping up in the Game 5 blowout win over Indiana, adding 18 points on 6-of-11 (54.5%) shooting from the field and five 3-pointers.

“He’s the ultimate pro. He’s a combo guard,” Thibodeau said. “He can shoot. He can put it on the floor. … He’s got experience and can think on his feet.

“So those are all things that are valuable, particularly in playoff situations. So, I’m not surprised. He’s had a terrific career. … I think he’s got a lot left in the tank.”

In New York’s 130-109 Game 7 loss to the Pacers, he recorded a season-high 26 points on 8-of-13 (61.5%) shooting from the floor, 2-of-5 (40%) from deep, and 8-of-8 (100%) at the foul line in 27 minutes as a reserve.

The 6-foot-6 guard also averaged 10.4 points on 38% shooting from 3-point range last season. Burks has averaged at least 10 points per game since the 2019-20 season while playing in the second unit.

Furthermore, he is coming off a three-year, $30 million deal signed in 2021.

Burks is joining reserve guards Josh Richardson, Pelle Larsson, and Dru Smith on the Heat. Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Bam Adebayo remain Miami’s starting five.