The New York Knicks have finalized a trade for Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado in a three-team deal that also involves the Chicago Bulls, as reported first by NBA insider Shams Charania.
The trade is primarily centered around Chicago. Guerschon Yabusele will join the Bulls, while Chicago sends Dalen Terry to New York. Subsequently, Terry moves to New Orleans along with two second-round picks.
For Jose Alvarado, 27, it’s a return to his roots; he played high school basketball at Christ The King in Queens and later attended Georgia Tech. After going undrafted in 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans and has since established himself as a formidable defensive presence in the NBA.
Alvarado is exactly what the Knicks need for the latter part of the season. He currently averages 7.9 points in about 22 minutes per game and holds a career defensive box plus-minus (DBPM) of 0.5. Though this season it stands at -0.5, this is partly because the Pelicans have been struggling, competing with the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers for the bottom spots.
While being a role player on a poor-performing team isn’t ideal, Alvarado is expected to be a valuable addition in New York, complementing shooter Landry Shamet defensively.
Jose Alvarado will bolster the Knicks as a sturdy backup point guard to star and captain Jalen Brunson, especially with fan favorite Miles “Deuce” McBride set to undergo sports hernia surgery, sidelining him until playoffs, and swingman Josh Hart also managing an ankle injury.
Although the Knicks don’t face a defensive crisis, ranking seventh in points allowed, they rank 18th in opponent three-point percentage. Alvarado’s intense defensive approach is expected to make an immediate difference.
This trade comes at a crucial time for New York. Currently second in the Eastern Conference standings, the Knicks face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on Friday. They are five games behind Detroit, with ample time to aim for the No. 1 playoff spot.
After the Pistons routed the Knicks 121-90 on January 5, expect some revenge in this matchup.
Alvarado will likely play a significant role off the bench, tasked with covering players like Cade Cunningham or Duncan Robinson, ensuring the Knicks perform better than they did a month ago.
Although some Knicks fans might regret not securing Giannis in a trade, they will soon appreciate Alvarado’s contributions on the court.
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