The NBA trade deadline came and went last Thursday with not as many flashy moves as were expected. Top-tier players were rumored to be on this year’s trade block including names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, Draymond Green, and Michael Porter Jr. To name a few.
The most important tactic a playoff-contending team aims to accomplish at the midseason deadline is adding another roster piece in preparation for a lengthy playoff run. Since the off-season, all signs pointed to Giannis wearing a Knicks uniform by this week.
It was reported last summer that New York and Milwaukee were negotiating to land the two-time MVP, but a deal did not fall through as Giannis remains in a Buck uniform.
The Knicks were not active in much trade talks however, the deal that they did make could be one of the most underrated deals that was made by a playoff-contending team.
The first trade the Knicks made was with Chicago. The Bulls sent Frenchman forward Guerschon Yabusele to the Bulls in exchange for guard Dalen Terry. The move allowed the Knicks to open a roster space in hopes of adding backcourt depth, something that was on the teams to do list.
The Knicks finally addressed their backcourt need by shipping Terry and two future second-round picks to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard Jose Alvarado. Nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado” because of his impeccable ability to steal inbound passes, the Knicks get a high-energy backup point guard who will bring an intense point-of-attack defense play and a reliable play-maker New York fans will fall in love with.
This year with the Pelicans, Alvarado averaged seven points and three assists in 22 minutes per game and shot 36 percent from the three-point line. Making just 4.4 million this year, his contract fits well with the team’s salary structure without any financial restrictions. New York is familiar territory for Alvarado.
He is from Brooklyn and attended Christ the King High School in Middle Village Queens. After receiving the news during a Pelicans practice Alvarado went on to say “It’s definitely a little weird but, I’m excited. It’s a dream come true to play for the Knicks. I grew up a Knicks fan… to put that jersey on, it’s going to be special.”
The Knicks could perhaps add another piece to the roster in time for their playoff run, with a few players who were dealt at the deadline expected to be bought out of their contracts and become unrestricted free agents. As we go to press, the Knicks have won 9 of their last 10 games.
Adding Alvarado gives them more depth especially with sharpshooter guard Miles McBride expected to miss the rest of the regular season as he undergoes core muscle surgery. He is expected to return in time for the playoffs. The Knicks bench now includes Mitchell Robinson, who is one of the best rebounding players in the league, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek, and now Alvarado.
The first half of the season is almost done, and Coach Mike Brown and company are banking on Alvarado lighting up Madison Square Garden just as much as singer and fellow Puerto Rican Bad Bunny did at the Super Bowl Halftime show.
Alvarado goes from a Pelicans team who are currently the second-worst team in the Western Conference to a Knicks team, that is expected to be a top three team in the East. The Knicks were looking for energy to come off the bench. In Alvarado, they could very well catch lightning in a bottle.
SPORTS Notes: (Football) Congratulations to former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, defensive tackle Leonard Williams, and Kicker Jason Myers as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XL. (Baseball) This Weekend pitchers and catchers for both the Yankees and Mets report to their training facilities this weekend this weekend this weekend meaning baseball is almost here!
Tune in tonight for an All-New episode of Sports Talk with Eddie presented by Our Time Press. Live tonight at 5 pm EST on the Our Time Press YouTube channel. We’ll break down my personal winners and losers at the trade deadline and talk some baseball as well: 2/12/26 airing here
