The Philadelphia 76ers still have some things left unchecked in their to-do list as they enter the season, but compared to what some of their players have experienced in the open market, those recurring questions are nothing. Some of their previous cogs remain without jobs after not having a lot of demand for their services, which is unfortunate.
Case in point? Look no further than Alec Burks, who previously played with the 76ers during the latter part of the 2019-20 season. He suited up for the Miami Heat during the previous campaign, appearing in 49 outings and starting in 14 games for Erik Spoelstra, but despite his solid production, no team picked him up in free agency.
With just a week left before the regular season begins, Burks seems poised to be on the outside looking in, at least to kickstart the campaign. If so, that is an unfortunate development, especially since the 34-year-old wing still has something left in the tank as a spark plug off the bench who can quickly get hot and hit shots from anywhere.
Heck, even the 76ers could bid for his services if they want to. With Jared McCain out to start the year, someone like Burks could just be the perfect third-stringer to help the team stay afloat off the bench.
Former 76ers guard Alec Burks remains unsigned with the season coming close
Burks has had an up-and-down career, but in recent seasons, he has created a nice, niche role for himself as a lethal spot-up threat from beyond the arc. Since the 2019-20 campaign, he has drained 40.1 percent of his three-point shots, an impressive mark for someone attempting almost five three-point shots a game.
Aside from that, Burks is a good secondary playmaker. He does not turn the ball over much, and is particularly adept at taking it to the rim to create advantages for himself and for his teammates. On defense, he is competent enough, although he has certainly taken a step back on that end due to his advanced age.
Still, there are a lot of things to like about Burks for teams in need of a boost off the bench. He can still score and get hot, and has ample experience playing different roles for various team make-ups.
Hopefully, the former 76ers guard can still find a way to stay in the NBA. He is still good enough to be a role player, and has a lot fo experience to boot.