LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 2, 2026: Lakers LeBron James reacts with Jake LaRavia (12) and Luka Doncic (77) after the team pulls away from the Memphis Grizzlies to win 121-128 at Crypto.com Arena on January 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to target trade options that will have a cheap price in terms of both limited assets moved to acquire them and contract salary. Most pundits don’t expect the Lakers to make a big splash due to the limitations of the roster and the desire to have cap flexibility entering the offseason. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t actively looking at reserve players that could fit their identity.
NBA reporter Evan Sidery reported that the Lakers have one specific target as a backup guard:
“The Knicks, Lakers, Rockets, and Spurs are among the teams to register trade interest with the Pelicans on Jose Alvarado. Alvarado’s price tag appears to be multiple 2nd-round picks as he holds a $4.5 million player option for next season.”
The New Orleans Pelicans are currently one of the worst teams in the league, so it only makes sense that they’d move players that aren’t pivotal to their future. Jose Alvarado is a popular point guard for his scrappy style of playing hard defense and fitting in on offense when his team needs him. Lakers fans would be ecstatic to add Alvarado since he’s a fan favorite around the league.
Lakers Trade Package For Jose Alvarado
The main reason that Alvarado stands out as a great target for the Lakers is his cheap trade price. Sidery’s comment about multiple second round draft picks confirms that the Pelicans don’t have hopes for a first-round pick. The Sacramento Kings expecting a first-round pick in any trades for reserve guard Keon Ellis dictates how unpredictable the market can be.
Alvarado can be acquired for a cheap salary of any player making money within the $5 million range and a couple of future second round draft picks. Teams like the Lakers should jump at this chance since they can’t realistically add a big star to shake up the roster.
The next best thing is improving team depth and finding someone who can help improve the weaknesses. Alvarado’s strong defensive play and energy could be a huge help for the Lakers team currently lacking defense and badly lacking bench depth ahead of the deadline.
Other Contenders Could Threaten Lakers’ Chances
Sidery named the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs as three other contending teams hoping to have a chance at Alvarado. New Orleans’ cheap price sees the NBA market opening up with great teams viewing Alvarado as an ideal backup guard.
Houston could possibly offer the most playing time since their roster lacks a true point guard on the roster right now. New York provides a hometown advantage since Alvarado grew up in New York City playing basketball locally until moving for college and the NBA.
However, New Orleans holds the cards for Alvarado’s future since they’ll likely accept the offer that helps them most. The Lakers could up their offer by adding second-year player Dalton Knecht to give the Pelicans a young player to add to the rotation. Regardless, Alvarado is a great option for the Lakers, and they must figure out their best realistic offer.