Jose Alvarado is going home. The New York Knicks agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire the Brooklyn-born guard Jose Alvarado in exchange for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks and cash. The move happened on trade deadline day, and it's a big deal for the Knicks' playoff hopes.
The trade comes in the wake of Knicks guard Miles McBride undergoing core muscle surgery. McBride, who has been a key member of New York's rotation this season, is expected to miss significant time and it's unknown whether he will be back in time for the playoffs. That's where Alvarado comes in. The 27-year-old was viewed as a logical fit due in part to his affordable $4.5 million cap hit. The Knicks have been rolling, but they needed depth at guard, especially after losing McBride.
Alvarado, born in Brooklyn and a high school star in Queens, has spent his entire NBA career to this point with the Pelicans. Nicknamed "Grand Theft Alvarado," the diminutive point guard is best known for his ability to steal inbounds passes when opposing teams least expect it. Considered a tenacious defender who brings energy off the bench, Alvarado has averaged 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game across 41 appearances for the Pelicans this season. He's undrafted, underpaid, and absolutely built for the playoff grind.
He'll join a Knicks team with championship ambitions, and his role player skill set should fit in quite nicely with what New York has already built. The Knicks get a guy who plays hard on every possession, defends multiple positions, and—bonus—he's a New York kid coming home. His contagious energy, combined with having his hometown crowd behind him, should lead to some fun and memorable moments.