Dallas Mavericks: Why Trey Burke is so important to the team

Dallas Mavericks: The importance of Trey Burke to the team

The Dallas Mavericks had a roster opening after Willie Cauley-Stein opted out of the season’s restart. Former ninth overall pick Trey Burke was unemployed. With Dwight Powell injured and WCS opting out, many wondered what big man the Mavs would sign. Instead, they added the 6’0 guard.

The Mavericks and Burke were familiar with each other prior to the bubble. The 27-year-old came to Dallas in the Kristaps Porzingis trade but was a free agent after last season. He signed with the Sixers only to be waived in February.

Burke signed with the Mavs in July. At the time, nobody expected him to be so important for the Mavs, but Burke has slowly turned into one of the smartest bubble acquisitions.

Dallas Mavericks guard Trey Burke is making an impact against the Clippers

The Sixers are having a plethora of offensive problems with Ben Simmons out. One can only imagine how upsetting it must be for them to watch Burke against the LA Clippers. In the eight seeding games, Burke averaged 12.0 points and 3.8 assists on 43.2 percent from three while also being a positive on the defensive end.

Burke has proved in the bubble that he deserves to be on an  NBA roster. He is a volume scorer off the bench. Burke has limited his tunnel vision tendency from the past and significantly increased his effort on defense.

Burke had 31 points in the restart opener against the Rockets. His best performance may have been in Game 2 of the Clippers series. He had 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 17.7 minutes of action. Burke was key in helping Dallas expand their lead with Luka Doncic on the bench in foul trouble.

Here is a closer look at his offense and why it is so important to the Dallas Mavericks.