It’s been a wild ride for Trey Burke, and he’s not done yet.
For anyone who's followed the NBA over the past decade, Burke is one of those names that always popped up—sometimes dropping buckets in limited minutes, sometimes bouncing from one team to the next. But no matter where he landed, one thing was always certain: he could score.
Now 32 years old, the scoring guard out of Michigan is working hard to find his next opportunity. And after seeing him recently light up a summer pro-am, it’s clear he hasn’t lost that killer instinct on offense.
Flashback: That Sixers Stint
Let’s rewind a bit. After being picked in the lottery of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Burke’s journey took him through several teams—but for a moment in time, he wore Sixers blue.
It was during the 2019-20 NBA season that he suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers, playing in 25 games. While it wasn’t a massive stint, it wasn’t forgettable either. Averaging 5.9 points and 2.1 assists per game, Burke brought something different to the table.
He wasn’t a starter and didn’t pretend to be. But what Burke offered was a spark off the bench. The kind of guy who, on any given night, could come in and drop a quick 10 points when the offense was dragging. He formed a solid backcourt pairing with Raul Neto, both backing up Ben Simmons and offering varied styles of play. Where Neto was more of a steady, pass-first type, Burke brought energy, pace, and a shooter’s confidence.
Philly Moved On – But Burke Wasn’t Done
As the Sixers began shuffling their rotation, Burke was ultimately waived midseason. That wasn’t the end of the road—it rarely is for a player with his skill set. The Dallas Mavericks saw an opportunity and picked him up to close out the season.
And that move? It made sense.
Dallas needed some scoring punch off the bench, especially someone who could thrive in small stretches without turning the ball over. Burke answered the call and ended up sticking around for another two and a half seasons.
During his Dallas tenure, Burke often found himself in and out of the rotation depending on injuries, matchups, or how deep the roster was. Still, whenever he got the minutes, he made sure people noticed. He was that sneaky scoring option who could heat up quickly—a guard that could pull up off the dribble, hit the floater, or knock down a deep three when defenders backed off.
A Quick Bounce Through Houston and OKC
But like many veterans who carve out a niche in the league, the business side of basketball soon came into play.
In the 2022 offseason, Burke was involved in transactions that landed him first with the Houston Rockets, and then the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, neither stint materialized into real minutes. OKC ultimately waived him, and just like that, his NBA chapter—at least temporarily—was on pause.
Still Grinding: The Summer Pro-Am Glimpse
So what does a 32-year-old guard do when the league stops calling?
If you’re Trey Burke, you keep hooping.
Recently, fans got a chance to see Burke in action during a summer pro-am event, and it was clear that the guy can still flat-out score. He hasn’t lost his handle. The jumper? Still wet. And more importantly, that classic Trey Burke confidence—the one that made him a college star at Michigan and a lottery pick in the NBA—is still there.
Watching him play, you could tell: this is a man who knows what he brings to the court.
Why Burke Still Has Value
Let’s be honest. Trey Burke may not be the guy you build your franchise around. But if you're an NBA team with a thin backcourt or a G League affiliate with development in mind, he’s exactly the type of veteran presence you want.
✅ Instant offense off the bench
✅ Mentorship for younger guards
✅ Experience in multiple systems
✅ Still in great shape and game-ready
In a league that values three-point shooting, spacing, and quick scoring, Burke checks a lot of boxes. He might not be in his prime anymore, but his game is far from washed.
What’s Next for Trey?
That’s the big question.
Right now, he’s a free agent, working behind the scenes, waiting for the right fit—or the right phone call. He’s reportedly staying in shape, training, and appearing in local hoops circuits to stay sharp. There’s buzz around whether he’ll look overseas or continue holding out for another NBA opportunity.
And for fans of the underdog or the journeyman player, Burke’s story is easy to root for. He’s not looking for headlines—he just wants to ball.
The Legacy So Far
When you look back on Trey Burke’s career, you see flashes of brilliance. That time he torched defenses in Utah. The unforgettable NCAA tournament run with Michigan. Those sneaky games in Dallas when he came off the bench and dropped 15 in 12 minutes. And yes, even his time in Philly—brief as it was—showed that he belonged.
Players like Burke don’t always make the nightly highlight reels. But they matter. They’re the glue guys. The sparks off the bench. The grinders who show up, punch in, and keep the game going.
Final Word
Trey Burke is still here, still grinding, still chasing that next opportunity in professional basketball. Whether it’s in the NBA, overseas, or in a mentoring role, his story isn’t over. The league may be younger, faster, and more analytics-driven, but there’s always room for a vet who knows how to put the ball in the bucket.
So if you see his name pop up again, don’t be surprised. Trey Burke never really left—he’s just waiting for the game to call him back.
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