The New York Knicks are riding steadily behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference. Currently on a five-game winning streak, the team and head coach Mike Brown are finding chemistry and consistency. With the defensive side of the ball seen as an area of opportunity, the Knicks may look to the New Orleans Pelicans and their point guard, Jose Alvarado. Alvarado is Brooklyn-born and may be a culture fit. He can provide a physical edge on defense while backing up Jalen Brunson. Still, the Knicks may look to keep their roster intact as they advance towards the playoffs.
Knicks Could Trade for this NYC Native
Alvarado is Likely to Exercise his Player Option Next Season
Alvarado has a player option for $4.5 million next season. This means he can decline rejoining the Pelicans and attempt to find a new team in free agency. The Pelicans will likely attempt to trade him before the February 5th deadline to avoid losing him in free agency.
Alvarado’s affordable contract makes cap navigation relatively easy for the Knicks front office. With the fit in New York seemingly strong, the Knicks would have to offer young talent in return. With a lack of draft assets, the Knicks need to make it worthwhile for New Orleans by trading players.
Who Would the Knicks Trade in a Deal for Alvarado?
Tyler Kolek, coming off a breakout performance in the NBA Cup Final, looks to see more minutes as Brown continues to experiment with lineups. Brown brought Kolek into the game against the Spurs late to relieve Brunson from sole ball-handling responsibility. This move allowed Brunson to play off the ball and stretch the defense as he was being trapped at half-court without a secondary ball handler.
Second-year player Pacome Dadiet has averaged 2.4 minutes in nine games this season. Shooting guard is where the Knicks are perhaps at their deepest, with Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Josh Hart taking the lion’s share of minutes. Although players like Hart, Shamet, and Clarkson may lineup at forward in some lineups, Dadiet is not a replacement for any of them.
The Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele has played limited minutes at the bottom of the rotation and has acted as Mitchell Robinson‘s backup alongside Ariel Hukporti. With Kolek potentially finding his way into more minutes, the team’s need becomes big men. Look to Yabusele being on the trade block, with the young Hukporti remaining as a development piece and earning more minutes as a result.
Staying the Course and Making No Trades
The Knicks may be content with their current roster. Adding and removing players during the season is disruptive. Keeping the roster intact while focusing on building their current game may be the strongest move available.
Considering their recent NBA Cup championship, the team has gained a significant confidence boost across the board. Locker room morale is high. It is most likely that Brown is allowed to work with what he has in his first year and evaluate making a move in the offseason.
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