Trey Burke Reflects on Vaccine Decision That Marked the End of His NBA Journey
Trey Burke’s NBA career didn’t end with a dramatic injury, a decline in performance, or a quiet fade into free agency. According to Burke himself, it ended with a personal decision - one he says he knew would likely cost him his spot in the league.
In a recent interview, Burke opened up about how his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine during the 2021-22 season effectively closed the chapter on his time in the NBA. While Kyrie Irving made national headlines for a similar stance, Burke’s story flew under the radar - but the impact on his career was just as real.
“Mark Cuban, all of those guys-shout out to those guys,” Burke said, referring to the Mavericks’ ownership and front office. “I just think it was a greater agenda in place.
Once I decided not to get it, I kind of saw the end of the road for me in the NBA that next year. They didn’t play me that year; remember, we made it to the West Conference Finals.”
Burke was still on the Mavericks roster during that playoff run, but he wasn’t part of the on-court action. He says his decision to forgo the vaccine led to him being sidelined - not just from the rotation, but from the team environment altogether.
“I knew my NBA run was coming to an end when I refused to get the vaccine,” Burke said. “The Mavs just stopped playing me after that and I had a separate locker room away from the team. It was super tough, but I didn’t want to conform to that.”
Burke described a season spent in isolation - quite literally. “I was in the locker room the whole year, separate from the guys on the road.
I had my own space,” he said. “I’m actually proud of myself that I stood firm on my decision.”
It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at how league protocols during the pandemic played out for players who didn’t comply. While Irving’s saga with the Brooklyn Nets was highly publicized, Burke’s experience unfolded more quietly in Dallas. Still, the outcome was no less significant: his NBA career came to a halt.
Burke’s final season in the league was 2021-22. He appeared in 42 games for Dallas, averaging 5.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game - solid numbers for a reserve guard, but not enough to keep him in the league once he became a non-compliant player in the eyes of team management.
It was a stark turn for a player who entered the league as a top-10 pick. Burke was selected ninth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, though his rights were quickly traded to the Utah Jazz. He spent his first three seasons in Utah, showing flashes of the scoring and playmaking ability that made him a standout at Michigan.
Over the course of his career, Burke suited up for five different teams: the Jazz, Wizards, Knicks, 76ers, and Mavericks. He carved out a role as a spark-plug guard - a player who could come off the bench and get hot in a hurry. His quick handle, deep range, and ability to create his own shot made him a valuable asset in the right system.
But in the modern NBA, availability is everything. And during a time when health protocols were front and center, Burke’s decision not to get vaccinated became a defining moment - one he says he doesn’t regret, even if it cost him his place in the league.
Whether fans agree or not, Burke’s story adds another layer to the broader conversation about how the pandemic reshaped professional sports - not just on the court, but behind closed doors.