https://nypost.com/2026/06/26/sports/jos...One of the first dominoes of the Knicks’ offseason now has clarity.
Jose Alvarado declined his $4.5 million player option for next season, but he’s returning on a three-year deal worth over $14 million, according to ESPN.
The decision allowed him to, instead of playing on the one-year option, sign a multiyear deal that carries a lower average annual value than that $4.5 million.
That is crucial because the Knicks are operating in accordance with owner James Dolan’s wishes to stay below the second apron and have a tight budget in order to do so.
New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado dribbling the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle.
Jose Alvarado reacts during the Knicks’ June 8 game.
Charles Wenzelberg
Alvarado’s deadline for the decision was originally on Monday, but he and the Knicks agreed to push it back to Friday, after the NBA draft.
He emerged as a key bench piece for the Knicks’ championship
They acquired him — after a series of moves that started with sending away Guersc ahead of the deadline. One of the first dominoes of the Knicks’ offseason now has clarity.
Jose Alvarado declined his $4.5 million player option for next season, but he’s returning on a three-year deal worth over $14 million, according to ESPN.
The decision allowed him to, instead of playing on the one-year option, sign a multiyear deal that carries a lower average annual value than that $4.5 million.
Now that we have Alvarado at backup center, do we still need Mitch?
ToddTT wrote:Now that we have Alvarado at backup center, do we still need Mitch?
Debatable.
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I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep.
I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
The coaching staff must think he has another level. I know they like that he can play with pace. He’s the fastest guard on the team.
markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
Excellent contract, player, and culture fit. Trade was a home run.
BlueKnickers wrote:markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
He is making a literal smidge above the vet min and is now at the beginning of a Deuce level contract. He had big moments in a finals series, or as they say, he has big balls to dip in French onion soup. What more can you ask for at that level contract? It’s gold.
ToddTT wrote:martin wrote:BlueKnickers wrote:markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
He is making a literal smidge above the vet min and is now at the beginning of a Deuce level contract. He had big moments in a finals series, or as they say, he has big balls to dip in French onion soup. What more can you ask for at that level contract? It’s gold.
They don’t say that!
Martin is still drinking. He'll say anything at this point
Knixkik wrote:Excellent contract, player, and culture fit. Trade was a home run.
Yeah, you sometimes pay for culture and locker room, and this was that.
ToddTT wrote:Now that we have Alvarado at backup center, do we still need Mitch?
Bol Bol one year contract
Philc1 wrote:ToddTT wrote:Now that we have Alvarado at backup center, do we still need Mitch?
Bol Bol one year contract
He suffered a partially torn Achilles towards the end of last season playing overseas.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/phoenix-suns/former-suns-center-bol-bol-suffers-major-career-threatening-injury-overseas/
I don’t understand resigning him with already a better backup in Kolek . Obviously different players, and I’m grateful for his effort in game 4 but other than being a pest and a secondary ball handler . He’s not a QB like Kolek. Kolek gets the whole team grooving . Where jose is more of a defensive spark plug who ignites with grit and steals .
It’s not that I don’t like Jose and what he brings … I just think Kolek should get more minutes, where Jose is more effective in small bursts . As he’s even more of a defensive liability vs bigger guards .
If I’m Kolek I’m pretty disappointed.
Blade37db wrote:Philc1 wrote:ToddTT wrote:Now that we have Alvarado at backup center, do we still need Mitch?
Bol Bol one year contract
He suffered a partially torn Achilles towards the end of last season playing overseas.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/phoenix-suns/former-suns-center-bol-bol-suffers-major-career-threatening-injury-overseas/
His body was never able to hold up to the rigors of the job.
KOLEK lacks the speed for pace for a PG. His defense is suspect.
Maybe he gets an opportunity for Shamets/Deuce minutes as one or both might be gone?
martin wrote:BlueKnickers wrote:markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
He is making a literal smidge above the vet min and is now at the beginning of a Deuce level contract. He had big moments in a finals series, or as they say, he has big balls to dip in French onion soup. What more can you ask for at that level contract? It’s gold.
Biggest issue is opportunity cost. Takes a roster spot and can further slow development of an actual pg
Have to imagine this is pure culture fit, locker room guy. I’d feel better if we thought of him as a third stringer.
Want to remind people his energy has a dark side too. He woke CJ up in Atlanta. And his trash talking to Champagnie backfired too
Chandler wrote:martin wrote:BlueKnickers wrote:markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
He is making a literal smidge above the vet min and is now at the beginning of a Deuce level contract. He had big moments in a finals series, or as they say, he has big balls to dip in French onion soup. What more can you ask for at that level contract? It’s gold.
Biggest issue is opportunity cost. Takes a roster spot and can further slow development of an actual pg
Have to imagine this is pure culture fit, locker room guy. I’d feel better if we thought of him as a third stringer.
Want to remind people his energy has a dark side too. He woke CJ up in Atlanta. And his trash talking to Champagnie backfired too
You view the backup PG for the team who just went on a historic playoff run and was one of the players who absolutely didn’t pucker up to the big lights moments as just a better hype man than someone like Ryan Archie? We are worried about him blocking minutes from someone?
It’s not worth it to keep those players around especially when they are on a near vet min price and have had an impact on winning playoff games?
These are good problems to have. It’s good to have both him and Kolek pushing themselves cause Brunson gonna miss games.
He becomes a valuable asset as well, especially because of the contract and his role.
jaydh wrote:I guess Kolek is gone?
Now that Jose is locked in, I'm looking at the comparisons as:
Kolek vs Deuce for 3rd PG (by default)
Deuce vs Shamet for off ball scorer/high intensity defense
I'd hate to lose him, but I do see a world where Deuce is the one shipped out. He was playing so good before the core surgery, but really did have a rough postseason.
Or if Shamet gets priced out, hope that Deuce returns to that pre-surgery form and replicates the 3 point shooting.
martin wrote:Chandler wrote:martin wrote:BlueKnickers wrote:markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
He is making a literal smidge above the vet min and is now at the beginning of a Deuce level contract. He had big moments in a finals series, or as they say, he has big balls to dip in French onion soup. What more can you ask for at that level contract? It’s gold.
Biggest issue is opportunity cost. Takes a roster spot and can further slow development of an actual pg
Have to imagine this is pure culture fit, locker room guy. I’d feel better if we thought of him as a third stringer.
Want to remind people his energy has a dark side too. He woke CJ up in Atlanta. And his trash talking to Champagnie backfired too
You view the backup PG for the team who just went on a historic playoff run and was one of the players who absolutely didn’t pucker up to the big lights moments as just a better hype man than someone like Ryan Archie? We are worried about him blocking minutes from someone?
It’s not worth it to keep those players around especially when they are on a near vet min price and have had an impact on winning playoff games?
These are good problems to have. It’s good to have both him and Kolek pushing themselves cause Brunson gonna miss games.
He becomes a valuable asset as well, especially because of the contract and his role.
I think his fire is his best asset and it drops off quickly after that. For example those come from behind steal attempts IMO are selfish because you’re purposefully behind the offense. If you don’t get the steal your team is playing 4 on 5.
He has a role as a pest, and the price is fair, and he doesn’t wilt in the spotlight. but if he stalls Kolek or jack we’ll be paying a bigger price for that. We desperately need a backup true pg for the reason you state: Brunson will miss games (plus normal breathers)
martin wrote:Chandler wrote:martin wrote:BlueKnickers wrote:markvmc wrote:I'm kinda surprised. Jose has his moments, but I thought we signed him as a savvy vet to take over in the playoffs from Kolek as back-up if we went deep. I'm happy to keep him around, but I hope this doesn't mean we're letting Kolek go.
Same. He filled a need, but committing to him for multiple years feels unnecessary. He's a hit or miss player, sometimes he helps and sometimes his minutes are chaotic and unproductive. He still has minimal floor generalship skills and I'd say below average passing ability. And for someone perceived to relieve pressure for Brunson, his ball handling is actually quite erratic. Sometimes people mistaken pace for effectiveness. His energy is his actual talent, but his skills are average at best, sub-par at worst.
He is making a literal smidge above the vet min and is now at the beginning of a Deuce level contract. He had big moments in a finals series, or as they say, he has big balls to dip in French onion soup. What more can you ask for at that level contract? It’s gold.
Biggest issue is opportunity cost. Takes a roster spot and can further slow development of an actual pg
Have to imagine this is pure culture fit, locker room guy. I’d feel better if we thought of him as a third stringer.
Want to remind people his energy has a dark side too. He woke CJ up in Atlanta. And his trash talking to Champagnie backfired too
You view the backup PG for the team who just went on a historic playoff run and was one of the players who absolutely didn’t pucker up to the big lights moments as just a better hype man than someone like Ryan Archie? We are worried about him blocking minutes from someone?
It’s not worth it to keep those players around especially when they are on a near vet min price and have had an impact on winning playoff games?
These are good problems to have. It’s good to have both him and Kolek pushing themselves cause Brunson gonna miss games.
He becomes a valuable asset as well, especially because of the contract and his role.
I'd like to see Brown test a Kolek/Alvarado 2nd unit backcourt to see if that would work, because for the benefits Jose brings he still is not much of a passer.
