Dallas Mavericks: Should Trey Burke be part of the playoff rotation?

The Dallas Mavericks received two straight outstanding performances from Trey Burke. They needed a spark off the bench against the Kings, so they called on Burke, despite him being a DNP-CD for six straight games. The veteran guard delivered with 19 points, five assists, and two steals to prove that he is always ready to contribute. Coach Rick Carlisle inserted him into the starting five in the team’s last game and had him guarding Stephen Curry. Burke responded by winning the Defensive Player of the Game belt in the 30-point blowout win.

It has been an up-and-down season for the 28-year-old guard. He was in the rotation and playing well for the first 18 games, but as the Mavericks struggled, coach Carlisle gave Burke fewer minutes. He dropped out of the rotation completely after the team acquired J.J. Redick. The Mavs have multiple guards and wings that are all hungry for minutes. The emergence of Jalen Brunson has made it even harder on Carlisle to find playing time for Burke.

Injuries gave him an opportunity, and the veteran guard has taken full advantage. Burke took advantage of a similar chance inside the bubble and even started the Mavericks’ final three playoff games. Should he be part of the team’s playoff rotation this year?

Should Dallas Mavericks guard Trey Burke be part of the playoff rotation?

Burke showcased his skill set on both ends of the floor in the last two games. On offense, he can get buckets but also gives Dallas another playmaker on the floor. That was massive against the Clippers inside the bubble. Burke exploited LA when they were paying a bit too much attention to number 77. He did again versus the Kings on April 26.

Burke is not the biggest guard, but he plays with incredible energy and effort. It made him the perfect option to guard Stephen Curry on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old was going to chase Curry anywhere he went. It resulted in a few turnovers and many occasions of breaking the rhythm of Golden State’s offense. See Burke create a turnover during the Mavs’ 28-0 run below.

Coach Rick Carlisle has some difficult decisions to make in the postseason. Luka Doncic figures to play close to 40 minutes per game as the Mavericks push their chips all-in. That leaves just 104 minutes to split between Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Richardson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jalen Brunson, J.J. Redick, and Burke. Doe-Doe could play some time at the four to expand Carlisle’s options.

Trey Burke played his best basketball in the playoffs last season. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 26.1 minutes per game. Burke shot 50.8 percent from the field and 47.1 percent on his threes. He is likely to be on the outside of the rotation at the start of Dallas’ first-round series, but expect him to be one of the first change-ups that Carlisle uses when things are not going the Mavericks’ way.

The Dallas Mavericks need every win down the stretch. Stay tuned for what should be an entertaining and exciting close to the 2020-2021 season. Supporters will not want to miss it.