Amidst a rather turbulent season, undrafted guard Jose Alvarado was one of the biggest bright spots on the New Orleans Pelicans. The guard seemingly came out of nowhere and instantly became a fan favorite for the fans. His tough two-way play and solid shooting has helped the Pelicans recover from a rough start.
As a result, the New Orleans Pelicans rewarded Jose Alvarado with a new long-term contract: four years, $6.5 million. It's a reward that Alvarado deserves after all the work he's put in to get into this situation. (via Shams Charania)
Alvarado went viral a few months ago with his hilarious interaction with D'Angelo Russell. However, Pelicans fans know that he is more than just a meme player. Alvarado has been one of the stingiest players on the roster, helping add a layer of defense the team has sorely lacked from their backcourt. As a result, he was handed this nice contract.
The Pelicans are looking to build towards competing next season. With Zion Williamson all but ruled out for this year, it makes sense for them to look towards the 2022 – 23 season. They've done well to surround Williamson with key pieces, such as Alvarado, Brandon Ingram, and Larry Nance Jr.
However, their biggest acquisition thus far has been CJ McCollum. Acquired from the Blazers during the trade deadline, McCollum has looked excellent in his first few games in a Pelicans jersey. With Alvarado there to complement his… sub-par defensive skills, New Orleans might be looking scary in the next few years.