Knicks · Jose Alvarado running it back (page 2)

BlueKnickers @ 6/27/2026 12:12 PM
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.

DLeethal @ 6/27/2026 2:24 PM
I'm perfectly fine with this signing. He's a good piece whether he's backup or 3rd string. Gives us flexibility to explore Deuce/Kolek trades for a big. A+ locker room and culture guy. This contract doesn't not marry us to him at all.
newyorknewyork @ 6/27/2026 5:32 PM
Alvarado & Kolek will be used based on what Brown needs for that game. If he needs more speed and a peskier defender than Alvarado. If he needs better floor general play getting more guys involved than Kolek.

Kolek the only guard on the roster that provides a certain level of passing. Which was one of the big reasons they targeted him and gave him a first round salary over 4 years as backup compliment to Brunson's game.

I expect a 3rd year jump for Kolek though. Expect climbs in effeciency and slightly more added to his game in being a scoring threat.

projecting 46%(fg)-38%(3pt)-78%(ft) splits.

BlueKnickers @ 6/27/2026 9:04 PM
newyorknewyork wrote:Alvarado & Kolek will be used based on what Brown needs for that game. If he needs more speed and a peskier defender than Alvarado. If he needs better floor general play getting more guys involved than Kolek.

Kolek the only guard on the roster that provides a certain level of passing. Which was one of the big reasons they targeted him and gave him a first round salary over 4 years as backup compliment to Brunson's game.

I expect a 3rd year jump for Kolek though. Expect climbs in effeciency and slightly more added to his game in being a scoring threat.

projecting 46%(fg)-38%(3pt)-78%(ft) splits.

Kolek can score. He's shown that. With a little bit of an opening, I expect he can have some more breakout games where he plays a key role in winning the game.

Philc1 @ 6/28/2026 7:27 AM
Don’t worry Kolek will get plenty of playing time next season. Deuce will be used strictly as a shooting Guard. I just hope Kolek doesn’t get arrested by NYPD
SergioNYK @ 6/28/2026 10:31 AM
I'm fine with GTA coming back but he was honestly last on my priority list cause I have high hopes for Kolek.
Philc1 @ 6/28/2026 2:13 PM
SergioNYK wrote:I'm fine with GTA coming back but he was honestly last on my priority list cause I have high hopes for Kolek.

It’s a long regular season both guys will be getting lots of minutes

BlueKnickers @ 6/28/2026 2:18 PM
Philc1 wrote:Don’t worry Kolek will get plenty of playing time next season. Deuce will be used strictly as a shooting Guard. I just hope Kolek doesn’t get arrested by NYPD

Deuce is an expiring.

I'm prepared to see him traded either this off-season or by the trade deadline during the season as the next few years cap space limits their ability to pay him what he will command as a FA.

If you were running this back, why would you bring build your rotation around a player you already know will be gone by mid-season? It makes more sense to move him now.

Chandler @ 6/28/2026 5:21 PM
^^^

moving deuce now would be selling low, potentially. might be better to let him find his shooting rhythm again

Knicksfan @ 6/29/2026 5:06 AM
fitzfarm wrote: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.

Who says that won’t happen?

I get the feeling that it’s not exactly Kolek who is in danger here, but Deuce. I think it was clear how important was a second ball handler next to Brunson and unfortunately Deuce failed more times than not. He was very inconsistent with his shot, especially in the playoffs, so I think it could be Deuce the one on the hot seat.

If Kolek survives the second apron maneuver, I think he might finally get a larger role next to Brunson. I think the Knicks liked the Brunson Alvarado minutes they got and will look to explore a version with Kolek next season.

EwingsGlass @ 6/29/2026 7:58 AM
Knicksfan wrote:
fitzfarm wrote: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.

Who says that won’t happen?

I get the feeling that it’s not exactly Kolek who is in danger here, but Deuce. I think it was clear how important was a second ball handler next to Brunson and unfortunately Deuce failed more times than not. He was very inconsistent with his shot, especially in the playoffs, so I think it could be Deuce the one on the hot seat.

If Kolek survives the second apron maneuver, I think he might finally get a larger role next to Brunson. I think the Knicks liked the Brunson Alvarado minutes they got and will look to explore a version with Kolek next season.

I get the feeling minutes are gonna be earned.

newyorknewyork @ 6/29/2026 8:04 AM
Jordan Clarkson's mins from last season will most likely be up for grabs. Need to see how the offseason shakes out in the coming days tho to see what's what with the potential lineup.
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