Trey Burke’s NBA journey came to an abrupt and unexpected halt-and according to him, it wasn’t about performance, injuries, or age. It was about a personal decision that, in his words, effectively ended his time in the league.
In a recent interview, Burke opened up about the fallout from his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during the 2021-22 season with the Dallas Mavericks. While Kyrie Irving's high-profile stance dominated headlines and sparked league-wide debate, Burke’s experience flew under the radar. But behind the scenes, he says the consequences were just as real.
“Mark Cuban, all of those guys-shout out to those guys. I just think it was a greater agenda in place,” Burke said.
“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.”
That Mavericks team did, in fact, make a deep playoff run, but Burke was largely absent from the rotation. He appeared in 42 games that season, averaging 5.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game-modest numbers, but not out of line for a depth guard in a crowded backcourt. Still, the playing time dried up, and Burke says the isolation went beyond the court.
“I was in the locker room the whole year, separate from the guys on the road. I had my own space,” he explained. “I’m actually proud of myself that I stood firm on my decision.”
It’s a rare look into how the league’s pandemic protocols impacted players who chose not to comply. While Irving became the face of that resistance, Burke's story adds another layer to the conversation-one that’s less talked about, but no less significant to the players involved.
Burke’s NBA career, which began with promise, saw its final chapter play out in that 2021-22 season. Drafted ninth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Burke was initially selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves before having his rights traded to the Utah Jazz. He spent three seasons in Utah, carving out a role as a scoring guard with a quick first step and a knack for creating off the dribble.
From there, Burke became something of a journeyman, suiting up for the Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and eventually the Mavericks. At times, he flashed the scoring punch that made him a college star and top-10 pick. But by the end, it wasn’t basketball ability that seemed to push him out of the league-it was a personal stance that came with professional consequences.
And while the league has moved on, Burke’s story remains a reminder of the quieter ripple effects of a moment in time that reshaped the NBA-and the careers of more than just the players in the spotlight.