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The Los Angeles Lakers’ point guard depth hasn’t been great recently.
Obviously, the Lakers haven’t run into any issues finding an elite starting PG, as Luka Doncic has done a phenomenal job running the show for the franchise thus far. However, the Lakers could use a more reliable second-unit floor general moving forward to ensure Los Angeles remains afloat when Doncic temporarily checks out of games.
According to a report from Heavy’s Sean Deveney, the Lakers are a franchise that could be in the mix for the New York Knicks’ 6-foot unsung hero and NBA champion point guard. The report also mentions that the San Antonio Spurs are another organization that could make a move for the pesky 28-year-old veteran.
“Speaking of the Knicks’ Alvarado, one exec says that the same teams that pursued him at the trade deadline–especially the Lakers, Spurs and Rockets–are likely to be suitors if he hits free agency,’ Deveney wrote Wednesday. “He must decide on his $4.5 million player option by Friday.”
Based on Deveney’s intel, Alvarado declining his player option for the 2026-27 season and becoming a free agent would potentially do wonders for the Lakers and the Spurs. Alvarado’s commitment to being a high-energy bench contributor who alters games with his relentless on-ball defense and successfully anchors the Knicks’ offense helped him earn his first-ever NBA championship.
The Georgia Tech product averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals with New York this season, shooting 41.6% from the field and 35.2% from three in 28 contests following his midseason trade from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Pelicans.
The Spurs know exactly how effective Alvarado can be on a title-contender.
The five-time NBA champions were on the opposite end of an NBA finals series that saw Alvarado operate as a valuable defensive-minded guard who played a vital role in the franchise’s valiant 29-point Game 4 comeback (made a clutch late-game three and made high-level offensive reads) and eventual 4-1 series victory.
The Lakers could use Alvarado a bit more than the Spurs, though, which is why it wouldn’t be surprising to witness them make a stronger push for the Brooklyn, New York native this summer.
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