The player review series is officially back! We are nearly one month removed from the conclusion of the 2024-25 Miami Heat season, which was one of the worst since the turn of the century. Over the next several (week)days, we will be reviewing how each Heat player performed throughout the 2024-25 season, recapping important numbers, best game(s) and their future outlook with the team. Today, we will be reviewing veteran guard Alec Burks.
Let’s dive into it— and if you’ve missed any of our previous reviews, click below!
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Brief Overview:
2024-25 stats (49 games):
- 7.3 PTS
- 2.5 REB
- 1.1 AST
- 0.6 STLS
- 17.6 MIN
- 42.4 FG%
- 42.5 3P%
- 60.4 TS%
Burks was the Heat’s lone outside free agent addition during the 2024 offseason. He was coming off a most recent stint with the rival New York Knicks, and was viewed as a well respected veteran shooter once acquired by Pat Riley. The 6-foot-5 guard was inked to a one-year $3.3 million veteran minimum contract.
As this past season progressed, it was evident that Miami added Burks in the mix for a steal with this price tag. To begin the year, it was unclear if Burks would get a consistent role. He was in and out of the lineup for a while— until the rising Dru Smith suffered a season-ending injury. From that point on, coach Erik Spoelstra searched for a guard to replace him in his rotation. And Burks ultimately answered the call, while becoming a regular starter alongside Tyler Herro in the backcourt during the end of season stretch.
Numbers To Note:
15 – In an extremely underrated statistic with Burks this season, his impact displayed he was one of the Heat’s true x-factors. In games that he scored 15 or more points, Miami was undefeated. Essentially, the team looked much more of a winning team when their veteran Burks was feeling it offensively. This isn’t as much of a surprise than you’d think, considering the elite efficiency during that span:
48 – Burks finished the season with a strong 42.5% shooting from beyond the arc— well above the league average. However, during those 15+ point scoring outbursts, he shot a sizzling 48% from 3-point range. For a team that struggled to spread the floor, going 36.7% as a unit this season, Burks shooting stroke heavily helped the Heat all season long.
Best game?
The best game of Burks’ season had to be against the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on March 29th. In a starting role, the sharpshooter drilled six of his 12 3-point attempts (50%). Additionally he shot 54% from the field overall, to go along with three rebounds and one steal.
But the most impressive part was the scoring production— he dropped 20 points (second highest on the team) in just 20 minutes of playing time. Miami would go on to secure the dominant road win, 118-95, and Burks’ scoring outburst helped supplement All-Star Herro’s 30 points in the backcourt.
What’s next?
No matter what unfolds this offseason, whether Riley re-tools to bring in another star, new crop of quality rotation pieces or even goes in the direction of a soft rebuild— bringing Burks back into the fold makes a lot of sense. He is a quality veteran presence to have in the locker room, and comes at a team friendly price tag.
The 33 year-old Burks was a total professional in various different roles throughout the 2024-25 campaign. It doesn’t matter where Spoelstra plugs him in, or even if he gets benched entirely. His attitude and veteran presence is extremely valuable to have around. And his rock solid shooting and efficiency on the court only makes a decision on a potential re-signing that much easier.
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During exit interviews with the media, Burks celebrated the Heat’s team-first approach and Erik Spoelstra’s coaching when discussing his season.“I had a great year. I had a great time. I love everybody here,” Burks told reporters. “And I learned a lot. Even though I’m in my 14th year, I still learned something. So I’m glad I was here. Hopefully, I can come back.
”Despite his age, (Burks will be 34 in July), he is exactly the kind of player every teams needs on the bench. He has a great personality, he’s a consummate team player, he’s flexible (he keeps the same demeanor whether he plays, substitutes or is DNP), he gives everything he has and is s a very good 3 point shooter. Finally, he would be an excellent (and much less expensive) alternative to Duncan Robinson.
In 2024-2025, Burks earned $3.3M, the veteran’s minimum for a player with 10+ years experience. In 2025-2026 his minimum will be $3,63M, and is projected to be $3.81M in 2026-2027 and $4.01M in 2027-2028.
If he can be signed to a team friendly contract, I would do it. $12M for 3 years sounds like it would be a fair deal all the way around. It provides Burks financial security as he eases into his sunset years and it gives Miami a Swiss Army Knife sharpshooter that can be called upon when needed. If he receives a better offer from another team, Miami should consider matching it, if it makes sense, financially.
Hi everyone. Just got back online.
Hey, wondering where you’ve been! You missed a lot of serious bickering here, haha.
42.5% on 3s and plays ok d but spobot rather have 55 in there