New York Knicks: Predicting a starting lineup for the 2020-21 season

Shooting Guard: Alec Burks

The New York Knicks organization and fans need to face facts. While they are probably going to be a fun and hard-working defensive team next season, but going off of the roster construction, they are not going to be a good 3-point shooting team.

That is where Alec Burks comes in.

Mitchell Robinson is a non-factor from 3, Obi Toppin while has promising numbers from the 3-point line in college, it is a mystery whether it translates to the NBA. Going off of RJ Barrett’s stats from last season, there isn’t a lot of hope for him to get significantly better from 3-point land next season.

Long story short, the Knicks need someone who can actually make a shot from outside. While he isn’t a marksman, Burks compared to the rest of the starting line up is Steve Kerr.

Burks has quietly put together a very nice career for himself while also putting up some nice numbers. In his time with the Golden State Warriors last season, Burks averaged an impressive 16.1 points per game on 37.5 percent shooting from 3.

His numbers dropped when he was moved to Philadelphia. He averaged 12.2 points per game but his 3-point percentage did soar to 41.6 percent. If he can average one of the above, the New York Knicks will be very happy with that level of production.

On the defensive end, Burks isn’t the turnstile he once was as a younger man, he is serviceable. It is probably the hope of Coach Thibs that he can instill some of his magic in Burks and make him a well-rounded two-way player.

I wouldn’t hold my breath on that but as long as he can shoot from 3 and provide a decent scoring punch for the Knicks then he is worth his place in the starting lineup. If he struggles, don’t be surprised if the Knicks shift Barrett to shooting guard and move  Kevin Knox II or Reggie Bullock into the starting lineup.