The New Orleans Pelicans and guard Jose Alvarado agreed to a two-year, $9 million contract extension on Saturday, his agent informed The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Alvarado, 26, had one 12 months and $1.9 million left on his deal and now shall be signed with the Pelicans by the 2025-26 season with a participant choice for 2026-27. His extension features a $4.5 million wage for 2025-26.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, his wage for the 2024-25 season is not going to change. Nonetheless, the $1.9 million membership choice will change into assured as a part of the extension.
As a part of the two-year $9M Jose Alvarado extension in New Orleans, sources verify that the $2M non-guaranteed wage for this 12 months will get assured.
The extension begins at $4.5M and comprises a participant choice in 2026-27.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 28, 2024
The 6-foot Alvarado initially joined New Orleans on a two-way contract in 2021 after a four-year profession at Georgia Tech. He completed sixth within the NBA’s Sixth Man of the 12 months voting final season.
In 56 video games off the bench within the 2023-24 season, the New York native averaged 7.1 factors, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 18.4 minutes per contest. He additionally shot 41.2% from the sphere, a career-best 37.7% from 3-point vary, and 67.3% on the free throw line.
Moreover, in New Orleans’ 111-88 win over the Miami Warmth on March 22, 2024, he recorded a season-high 17 factors on 6-of-12 (50%) taking pictures from the ground and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from deep.
Alvarado missed the primary 13 video games of the 2023-24 marketing campaign with a proper ankle sprain.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado will seemingly slot in behind former Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray
For the upcoming 2024-25 season, Alvarado is anticipated to play within the second unit behind full-time starter Dejounte Murray, who the Atlanta Hawks traded to New Orleans in June.
Alvarado’s finest NBA season was his sophomore 2022-23 marketing campaign, when he averaged profession highs of 9.0 factors, 3.0 assists, and 21.5 minutes in 61 appearances (10 begins).
Moreover, Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced praised Alvarado in March for not letting his dimension restrict him.
“It begins along with his coronary heart,” Inexperienced stated. “He performs along with his coronary heart and soul each recreation. It’s onerous to bottle that up right into a stat. Then you definitely add his instincts. He has large on-court defensive instincts. It’s why he was ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
“Jose has been an enormous a part of our tradition,”
– Bryson Graham on Jose Alvarado #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/UajQLWVSee
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 30, 2024
“With all of the expertise in that convention, it was him. He solely is aware of play a technique. That’s the gorgeous half about Jose. He brings it 110% each time he steps on the ground.”
The Pelicans are aiming to make the playoffs for the second straight 12 months for the primary time for the reason that 2008-09 season and simply the third time of their 23 years in New Orleans.
The Pels haven’t superior to the convention semifinals since 2017-18 in opposition to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors. New Orleans misplaced in 5 video games to a Warriors crew led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
