Alec Burks ‘glad to be back’ on Knicks roster: ‘I get a lot of love out here’

Alec Burks never wanted to leave the Knicks, signing a three-year contract extension after emerging as a key contributor to the franchise’s return to the playoffs for the first time in eight years in 2021.

But Burks had to be sacrificed as the Knicks attempted to clear salary-cap space to sign Jalen Brunson via free agency in the summer of 2022.

But Burks, who scored 22 points in 22 minutes in the Knicks’ 125-111 loss to the Pacers on Saturday night at the Garden, had to be sacrificed as the Knicks attempted to clear salary-cap space to sign Jalen Brunson via free agency in the summer of 2022.

He was shipped, along with Nerlens Noel, to the Pistons in one deal, with Kemba Walker also going to Detroit in another, to free up nearly $30 million in annual salary-cap space to ink Brunson to a four-year deal worth $104 million.

While Brunson has developed into a first-time All-Star and a fringe MVP candidate this season, the 32-year-old Burks was reacquired ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline with forward Bojan Bogdanovic from the league-worst Pistons for Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and two second-round picks to provide scoring depth for a banged-up Knicks squad that was without Julius Randle (shoulder), OG Anunoby (elbow), Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and, at least for Saturday’s game against the Pacers, Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles). 

“A lot of emotions, it’s just crazy,” Burks said before both new players suited up for Saturday’s game at the Garden. “It’s how the world goes, right? But I’m glad to be back. I get a lot of love out here. So I’m glad to be back with everybody.