Basketball
Alec Burks signing with Heat in NBA free agency after wild Knicks playoff run
![Alec Burks signing with Heat in NBA free agency after wild Knicks playoff run Alec Burks signing with Heat in NBA free agency after wild Knicks playoff run](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/shoots-indiana-pacers-guard-ben-81737158.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024)
Alec Burks is taking his talents to South Beach.
The 32-year-old guard, who went from being out of the Knicks’ rotation in the first round of the playoffs to becoming a huge weapon off the bench against the Pacers, is signing a one-year contract with the Heat in NBA free agency, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The Knicks brought Burks back for a second stint with the team at this year’s trade deadline, acquiring him and Bojan Bogdanovic from the Pistons for Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Ryan Arcidiacono and Malachi Flynn.
But Burks, who played under Tom Thibodeau with the Knicks for two seasons from 2020-22, struggled to the tune of a 30.7 shooting percentage and ultimately lost a spot in the rotation.
He did not play at all in the Knicks’ six-game, first-round victory over the 76ers and also sat in Game 1 of the second round against the Pacers before making a 44-second cameo in Game 2.
After OG Anunoby hurt his hamstring to add to the massive pile of Knicks injuries, Burks was thrust into action in Game 3 and provided a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting, including 2-for-4 from deep, along with four rebounds in 21-plus minutes.
![Knicks guard Alec Burks (18) shoots against the Pacers during Game 3 of the second round of the 2024 playoffs.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/alec-burks-18-new-york-81620813.jpg?w=1024)
He remained a key contributor throughout the rest of the series, though the Knicks lost in seven games.
Burks averaged 17.8 points over the final five games while shooting 51 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range.
He had 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting in the Game 7 loss at the Garden.