Just before Thursday’s trade deadline, the New York Knicks secured a deal to acquire point guard Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash.
The Knicks were eager to land Alvarado to have a reliable playmaker from the bench backing star point guard Jalen Brunson. At 27, he brings strong defense and playmaking skills as a ballhandler.
New York acted quickly to acquire Alvarado after guard Miles McBride had core muscle surgery that is expected to sideline him for an extended period, potentially affecting his playoff availability.
Alvarado is expected to immediately take on a significant role, providing the much-needed stability in the backcourt off the bench. In 41 games, he is averaging 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals, shooting 41.8% from the floor and 36.3% from beyond the arc.
He signed an extension with New Orleans last season and has a $4.5 million player option for next season. This presents a new opportunity for him to join a playoff contender and make a significant impact, possibly helping his new team in a deep postseason run.
The Knicks are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 33-18 record, following an eight-game winning streak. They trail the Detroit Pistons by 4.5 games for the top spot in the East.
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