05-24-2022, 08:59 AM
(05-23-2022, 04:54 PM)F Gump Wrote: Maybe I used the wrong term when I said "role." I am not saying Burke is a regular, but only that he is here and has a specific, well-defined use that he fills when needed -- and that will be needed from time to time. That's his fit on the roster, and he is paid suitably for that. He's one of the players who fills slots 11-15.
While he could be replaced, it wouldn't be with anyone that's better, or that would play more, and the salary would be similar too. And since he is a known quantity, best to just let it alone for some stability.
You're right that the job will probably be to find 1 or 2 guys who can upgrade or add to the usable regulars, and it's most likely somewhere in slots 6-9. But the presence (or absence) of Burke (or Bobi either) doesn't impact any of that.
I think Burke will be replaced if they find someone better. Clearly if they can't then he won't. Burke almost got replaced by guys off the street during the Covid mess. His contract having 1 more year on it probably prevented that. Now that he only has the 1 year left I could see him getting bought out. I don't put Burke in the Boban basket at all because Boban has a clear role which is Luka's best friend and culture setter. Burke is not horrible but he is definitely in a spot that could be upgraded.