After running the sand dunes in Palm Springs, Calif., this summer, Trey Burke is confident he will resume his starting point guard duties he earned at the end of last season.
But he’s ready for the fight — and he thinks all three point guards will be better for the training-camp battle.
“I do,” Burke told The Post when asked if he believes he’ll be starting point guard on opening night against Atlanta. “That’s just my mindset. I know coach Fiz [David Fizdale] said he’s going to training camp rolling the ball out to allow us to compete for the starting spot — which I believe is fair.
“But I think all three point guards go in with the right mentality. We know we’re going to be competing with each other. We also know we’re on the same team and we’ll be making each other better while we’re competing. That’s win, win, win. We’re all looking forward to it. I know I am.”
When the first practice is held Tuesday, Burke will battle against two fellow lottery picks in Frank Ntilikina, the club’s eighth pick in 2017, and Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver’s seventh selection in 2015.
Burke, selected ninth by Utah in 2013, envisions playing alongside Ntilikina, with the Frenchman off the ball, as they did successfully late last season.
“I take Frank to the gym a lot early in the morning, just to build that chemistry,” Burke said. “I believe last year he played better when I was on the floor with him because he had a guy to take the pressure off him handling the ball. He can play a spot-up and when he’s ready to be aggressive and get in the lane and make plays, he could. I think he played much better with me, and he’d say that as well. I definitely see us in the backcourt a lot.”
Burke attempts to weave more positives to his comeback story. Early last October, Burke was about to get married, unsure of his basketball future, appearing to be a lottery bust. The Knicks invited him to camp in early October under the condition he would join the G-League Westchester Knicks.
In the final days of preseason, Burke accepted the offer, lit up the G-League, then signed with the Knicks in January and continued to excel. A crafty, slithery shotmaker, he averaged 12.8 points on 50 percent shooting and 4.7 assists in 36 games and surprisingly impressed on defense.
“I think yes and no,” Burke said when asked if he surprised people last season. “Some people who didn’t see me play in the past — in Utah (Jazz) or Michigan — yes. On the other hand, there’s people who knew I can do that from Michigan, Utah. It’s just about being in the right situation and system.
“It’s still early in my career. A lot of people think Year 6 is early. I’m looking forward to continue to prove people wrong and shock people. I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder.”
This marked the first time Burke went to Palm Springs “to get away from the noise.” He hooked up with his old trainer, Anthony Rhodman, and did the sand dunes like never before. After that, it was straight to the gym for another workout.
“By 10 a.m., I had done two workouts every day,” Burke said. “After lunch we’d get back for Round 3. He knows how to get the best out of me. The dunes are for quickness, strength in legs. We were away all summer. I’m sure I’ll see the results as soon as I hit the court, speed-wise and explosion.”
Burke has been mostly back in Westchester since mid-August. With one year left on his contract, Burke knows his long-term future is unclear, especially with free agent Kyrie Irving lurking.
“I know it’s a big year, but I know I’ll play well,” said Burke, whose wife gave birth to their second child, Sade’, on Sept. 12.
“Last year was the biggest test of my career. Of course, I definitely hope it works out here long term. If it doesn’t, it will work out somewhere else because I’m looking forward to having a great year.”