New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado is drawing interest from the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s NBA staff.
Knicks, Spurs, Rockets Want Jose Alvarado
Alvarado, 27, is expected to be traded before next Thursday’s deadline.
“Alvarado is another Pelicans veteran point guard who will receive some interest on the open market. [He’s] viewed by several teams as a reserve who could have an immediate impact with the right team,” The Athletic reported.
Through 37 games off the bench this season, Alvarado is averaging 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 21.9 minutes per outing while shooting 42.4% from the field and 36.1% from deep.
However, The Athletic also added that Alvarado’s preference is to “remain in New Orleans.” The 6-foot guard is currently in his fifth season with the Pelicans.
Per The Athletic’s James Edward III, the Knicks want Alvarado because he “really applies pressure on ballhandlers night in and night out. He’s one of those infectious players, similar to [Josh] Hart, whose plays radiate throughout the rest of the group.”
Pelicans Have Five Players Off Limits
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported last week that while both the Knicks and Rockets have been monitoring Alvarado, the Pelicans are not listening to offers for five of their players.
“From what I was told, [Derik] Queen, [Jeremiah] Fears, Zion [Williamson], [Trey] Murphy, Herb Jones, I was told they will not be moved,” Haynes said.
During the offseason, New Orleans guaranteed Williamson’s $39.4 million salary for the 2025-26 season. This is part of the five-year, $197.23 million rookie-scale extension he signed in July 2022.
Per Spotrac, Jones signed an offseason extension that carries a cap hit of $14 million this season and includes a player option worth $24.2 million for 2029-30.
Jones has been viewed as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers and other teams.
Raptors Among Teams Interested In Yves Missi
Meanwhile, Pelicans center Yves Missi is also being eyed by six other teams: the Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Lakers.
The 6-foot-11 big man is earning $3.35 million this campaign, and his deal includes a $3.5 million salary for 2026-27 and a $5.6 million team option for 2027-28.
NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line was recently told that New Orleans is seeking a 2026 first-rounder for Missi, and has already rejected at least one offer involving second-round picks.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported this week that Toronto proposed a trade deal that included RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, and draft picks for Missi and Trey Murphy III.
New Orleans, however, didn’t have interest in that framework.
In 41 games (seven starts) this season, Missi is averaging 5.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 19.2 minutes per outing while shooting 54.3% from the field and 58.2% from the foul line.
