The New York Knicks’
reported interest in Jose Alvarado is the kind of marginal-but-meaningful move that good teams make once the core is in place.
This move would maintain, and even improve, roster balance and financial discipline, while finally solving a problem that has lingered behind Jalen Brunson for years: finding a backup point guard who can actually run the offense and defend the point-of-attack. Alvarado checks every box.
At $4.5M, his contract is an ideal trade piece. Any move the Knicks make must fit within tight financial constraints within the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Alvarado’s deal satisfies this while bringing in a defensive dawg. Trading for him wouldn’t force multiple roster moves, nor push New York deeper into apron hell. He simply replaces a salary with a slightly higher salary while upgrading a rotation spot.
A realistic package of Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet and one or two second-round picks makes sense for both sides. Despite what Twitter says, the Knicks aren’t adding another small guard. They’re replacing one with a better version. Kolek was drafted as a developmental backup, but Alvarado is already a proven NBA contributor. Dadiet, frankly, has shown little to suggest he’ll crack Mike Brown’s rotation anytime soon. If New Orleans wants to reset its backcourt depth and add cheap, controllable pieces, this is a clean way to do it.
What would Jose Alvarado bring to New York Knicks?
Alvarado brings playoff-tested play. As a Brooklyn native, he would relish playing at home in front of friends and family. Offensively, he can organize the second unit without hijacking possessions. He plays with pace, pushes the ball and can play off the ball when Brunson comes back in. That matters on a Knicks team loaded with wings like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, who don’t need a high-usage guard, but do need someone to get them into sets.
Defensively, Alvarado fits the Knicks’ identity perfectly. His on-ball pressure is relentless. As a point-of-attack defender, he forces turnovers, turning defense into transition offense and getting the Knicks out in pace. Plus, Alvarado competes on every possession. He doesn’t need to score 15 points to impact the game, which makes him far more playable than past backup options.
The financial side is just as important. With massive long-term commitments already on the books with Karl-Anthony Towns, Anunoby, Brunson and Bridges, the Knicks must be selective. This is why including Guerschon Yabusele or the protected Washington Wizards pick should be a non-starter.
First, those assets are better reserved for a different kind of move — either upgrading the frontcourt or being part of a much larger deal, should a true superstar become available. Second, sending out a player who can play power forward and center for a player who can play point or off-guard creates a new problem while solving an old one. Yabusele is beginning to carve out a role, and making the Knicks smaller overall is the last thing this roster needs.
Depth matters, especially for a team with postseason aspirations. Alvarado improves guard depth without compromising size.
From New Orleans’ perspective, the appeal is understandable. Alvarado is valuable, but the Pelicans’ roster construction remains in flux. Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have revealed themselves to be rookies to build around, signaling the potential for a roster reset. Turning a backup guard into multiple young pieces and draft capital, even if it’s just second-rounders, aligns with a team that may need to retool around its core.
For the Knicks, this is about maximizing the margins. The core is set. There’s no need for another star. Just don’t choke future moves.
Alvarado is a great target for the Knicks. That’s why the interest makes sense and why the deal, if structured correctly, should be an easy yes.
