The New York Knicks are set to acquire point guard Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This development follows Knicks guard Miles McBride’s core muscle surgery, confirmed by ESPN’s Vince Goodwill. McBride, an essential part of New York’s lineup this season, is anticipated to be sidelined for an extended period, and his availability for the playoffs remains uncertain.
The Knicks have been pursuing Alvarado for several months, aiming to secure a reliable backup for star point guard Jalen Brunson. Tyler Kolek had been filling the role, but the Knicks were actively seeking an enhancement for their bench unit, particularly with McBride out of action.
Initially, the Pelicans indicated they were reluctant to trade any players this season, but the draft assets included in the deal seem to have influenced their decision. For the Knicks, having traded Guerschon Yabusele on Wednesday for Terry, they created the financial room to accommodate Alvarado’s $4.5 million player option for next season.
Alvarado has established himself in the NBA as a tenacious defender and dedicated player after going undrafted in 2021. Known as “Grand Theft Alvarado,” the undersized point guard is particularly noted for his knack for stealing inbounds passes unexpectedly. According to GeniusIQ tracking, Alvarado has accumulated 71 steals in the backcourt since joining the NBA in the 2021-22 season, ranking second only to T.J. McConnell (78) during that timeframe.
Alvarado began his career with New Orleans on a two-way contract in 2021, which was later upgraded to a standard deal due to his impressive performance. He signed an extension with the Pelicans last season and holds a player option valued at $4.5 million for the upcoming season.
The Athletic was the first to report McBride’s surgery.
