Rockets talking trade with Cavaliers for Alec Burks

The Houston Rockets were engaged with the Cleveland Cavaliers late last night on a deal that would send guard Brandon Knight and a first-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for guard Alec Burks, according to multiple reports, including The Athletic (subscription required) and Amico Hoops.

The Rockets have made no secret of their desire to add another wing to the fold and have been linked to everyone from Kent Bazemore to Wesley Matthews, but this report seems to have a little more to it, with Amico saying that the teams were “closing in” on a deal late last night.

Burks is having a pretty good year in Cleveland, averaging 11.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He’s shooting just 40 percent from the field, but he’s making up for it by knocking down 37.8 percent of his threes on 3.5 attempts per game. Burks is a career 35.8 percent shooter from beyond the arc, so he has the capability to thrive in the Houston system.

He’s been an average to slightly below average defender throughout his career, but at 6’6”, has the size to succeed in Houston’s switch-heavy scheme.

Amico Hoops is also reporting that the Rockets have been offering this same deal throughout the league, including their first-round pick for any team willing to take back Knight’s $15 million contract and offer a usable wing in return.

We’ll keep an eye on these developments and let you know if anything materializes as we head into Thursday’s trade deadline.