Knicks guard Jose Alvarado celebrates during the championship parade
Knicks guard Jose Alvarado celebrates during the championship parade
Jose Alvarado is back with the Knicks on a three-year deal worth more than $14 million. The contract keeps a Brooklyn guard who became a trusted reserve during the championship run in New York for the next few seasons.
His biggest Knicks moment came in Game 4 of the Finals, when he put up eight points and three assists in the fourth quarter of a 29-point comeback against San Antonio. Alvarado was on the floor beside Brunson during the part of the game when every possession had to be handled cleanly.
The Knicks did not re-sign him because of one fourth quarter. They brought him back because a champion needs guards who can harass the ball, push the pace, and stay calm when the starter has to sit.
Alvarado is never going to make a quiet appearance. He picks up full court, gets under opponents, and turns a loose ball into a problem. That plays in January, and it plays even more in May.
I would expect his minutes to move around with matchups. The job stays the same. Give Brunson help, make the second unit harder to play against, and bring some urgency when the game loses its edge.
Knicks guards Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride celebrate after the title parade
Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride celebrate after the championship parade. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The Knicks need Jose Alvarado to keep the bench alive
The Knicks have star power in the starting group. The bench needs players who know how to affect a game without waiting for a play to be called for them.
Alvarado fits that job. He can force a bad pass, push a transition possession, or hit a timely shot when the defense forgets about him. Those moments add up across a long season.
Jose Alvarado still has a big Knicks job
The contract gives New York stability at a position where the team has several options. It also puts a standard on Alvarado. He earned trust in the Finals, and the Knicks will expect him to bring the same bite into the repeat chase.
He has already shown he can handle a big stage. Now the Knicks need him to keep being the player who makes a regular season game feel less comfortable for the other team.