The Utah Jazz just can’t seem to reach full strength.
Derrick Favors only recently returned from a left knee injury, and Gordon Hayward won’t play until late November at the earliest after breaking his finger. Now the Jazz have lost Alec Burks for an undisclosed period of time, per a team announcement:
Following multiple medical consultations, Burks underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure Tuesday to debride his left ankle. The procedure was performed in New York City by foot and ankle specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley.
Burks will return to Salt Lake City to begin his rehabilitation and will remain out indefinitely. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.
Burks hasn’t played since Dec. 26 of last season, and with George Hill, Dante Exum and Shelvin Mack all healthy, you can argue he’s expendable.
But the Jazz are off to a lackluster 2-2 start after being crowned the next 50-win phenomenon. That they’re treading water in Hayward’s absence is to be commended. Their backcourt depth is a luxury most other teams don’t have, either. Nevertheless, Burks would have been additional offensive depth, and with many of the their most-used lineups struggling to produce points on a consistent basis, according to NBA.com, the Jazz are in no position to turn down an extra set of capable hands—even if they don’t perfectly fit within head coach Quin Snyder’s system.
Burks, meanwhile, has three years, including this one, and around $32.6 million left on his deal. He profiled as a possible trade chip given his contract and the Jazz’s embarrassment of depth, but that ship has sailed. Few teams will give up anything or anyone of value for someone who hasn’t played in almost a year. Either way, upon his return, whenever that is, the Jazz will have to evaluate where he fits into their future, if anywhere.
