MIAMI — Perspective on the Miami Heat’s offseason was offered in the measured, understated tone of Alec Burks as the veteran swingman formally was introduced during a video conference Monday.
“I feel like I could fit in,” Burks said. “I can just be a role player and help out and help winning.”
Signed to a one-year, $3.3 million minimum-scale contract in free agency, the 33-year-old Burks stands as the Heat’s lone offseason veteran acquisition.
In the wake of extended injury absences this past season by Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson, Burks stands as insurance against such recurrences, as well as a possible fill-in should the Heat trade one of their perimeter pieces.
For now, it’s just another case of loading up the moving van, with the Heat standing as Burk’s eighth NBA team, with the No. 12 pick in the 2011 NBA draft out of Colorado having made two stops with the New York Knicks along the way.
“I think that kind of comes with the game, the business sometimes,” Burks said. “You know, I have moved around a few times — not by choice. But I just have, because that’s the NBA sometimes.
“It’s always kind of tough to move, especially with my family, my kids. But I do it for the right situation.”
After a discussion with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Burks decided the Heat were the right situation.
“The Heat Culture from afar, then I talked to Spo, made my decision,” Burks said. “We had a great conversation. I think that’s the real reason I picked the team.”
For a team that has struggled offensively in recent years, with the Heat 21st in offensive rating last season and 26th in the 30-team league in points per game, Burks potentially adds a streak-scoring element off the bench.
Such scoring eventually was put on display in this past season’s Eastern Conference semifinals, when Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau relented and turned to Burks during the team’s series loss to the Indiana Pacers. Burks responded by averaging 18 points on 51% shooting over five games.
“Just be professional,” Burks said of his waiting game in New York, faced with a potential similar waiting game with the Heat, with the Heat also having Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson and second-round pick Pelle Larsson available on the wing. “I’ve been in that situation before. So just be ready, be professional.
“You never know what’s going to happen in the games, so you just have to be ready. That’s what I pride myself on — being ready, anytime.”
Burks’ familiarity with the Heat roster includes having played at previous stops with Richardson and big man Kevin Love. He said he has yet to reach out to the two, “I’m sure I will in coming days.”
At 6 foot 5, Burks could find himself spotted in multiple roles in Spoelstra’s position-less approach.
“Just my versatility,” he said of what he envisions offering. “I can play a couple of positions, be able to shoot, space the floor for other guys to get into the paint. Those two skills should help a lot.”
All while appreciating Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Herro as the current featured attractions.
“I think I can space the floor,” Burks said. “I’ll just play off them.”
Burks is one of 13 players the Heat have under guaranteed contract for next season, joining Butler, Adebayo, Herro, Rozier, Richardson, Love, Jaquez Jr., Robinson, Larsson, Nikola Jovic, Thomas Bryant and first-round picks Kel’el Ware.
Teams can carry up to 15 players under standard contract during the regular season, with the Heat in recent seasons opening with 14 to save against the luxury tax.
Teams also are allowed to carry up to three players on two-way contracts that pay half the standard minimum salary and limit such players to 50 appearances on the 82-game regular-season active roster. Holding those spots currently for the Heat are returning guard Dru Smith and undrafted rookies Zyon Pullin, the guard out of Florida, and forward Keshad Johnson, the forward out of Arizona.
Teams are allowed to carry up to 21 players during the offseason, a total that includes those on Exhibit 10 tryout contracts, with undrafted Colorado State guard Isaiah Stevens currently working under such a contract in the Heat’s summer program.