Will Burton no longer thinks about what might have been in Denver.
Now, nearly six weeks after being traded to Washington, Burton isn’t obsessed with leaving a competing team or a starting unit featuring back-to-back MVPs.
“That time and that chapter is over,” Burton told the Denver Post on Zoom. I will wait until my career is over.”
Although he’s now with the Wizards thanks to a trade that sent him and Monte Morris to Washington for Kentavius Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, Burton can’t stay away from his old teammates.
On Thursday, he was coaching alongside Nuggets point guard Bones Hyland at the Under Armor Next Elite 24 basketball showcase in Chicago. The two worked out together for more than his hour on Thursday morning and put on their coaching caps to nurture the next generation of basketball talent. This is a showcase that Burton participated in when he was famous.
“I’m just trying to be someone the kids can ask questions and get advice from,” Burton said. “They all dream of playing in the NBA. Give them whatever they really need.”
A 10-year veteran, Burton knows the end of the NBA business and what it takes to become an NBA starter from a second-round pick. Still, he’s not ready for a career-changing deal.
“It was just like a shock, but not that much of a shock,” Burton said when asked about his reaction to the trade. “Obviously it was a shock because I’ve been there eight years and we’ve done so much together. But at the same time, I’m embracing it and welcoming a new chapter.”
Of all the things the Nuggets have accomplished during Burton’s tenure, the one he’s most proud of is changing the perception of the entire Denver franchise. When he got there for the season, the Nuggets had lost their rudder.
After about eight seasons, they’re healthy players who are a year or two away from finals contenders.
“Just turn everything around and that’s the biggest thing,” Burton said. “I came in there, we weren’t good. We didn’t have a good culture. Look where it is now and that I played a big part in that.” It couldn’t be more rewarding to know. Looking back, it’s been my biggest accomplishment.”
Now at Wizards, Burton is already familiar. Former Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr. is head coach, and there is consolation for Morris, who shared the backcourt with Burton last season. And thanks to Bradley Beal, the Wizards aren’t empty of star power.
After the summer trip, with a new documentary coming out next month and a few more weeks to “set[his]mind for a new challenge,” Burton isn’t vague about his goals for the season. He wants to bring the Wizards back to the playoffs and change the narrative about the struggling franchise.
“My head is to go out there and help them do the same thing that I helped in Denver,” Burton said.
