The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have the financial window to be able to make a splash move at this year’s trade deadline.
However, this hasn’t stopped the team from looking for different ways to improve the roster this season.
Reports have shown that the Lakers are in on a New Orleans Pelicans guard whose value shines the most on the defensive side of the ball.
Lakers show interest in trade for Jose Alvarado
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Lakers are among teams, including the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs, that have interest in trading for New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado.
The 27-year-old guard’s contract includes a $4.5 million annual price tag that includes a player option for the 2026-27 season.
In 36 games this season, Alvarado is averaging 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three.
Sidery also mentioned that the price that the Pelicans are looking for is multiple second-round picks.
If the Lakers can pull off a deal like this, they would likely include a player due to the small salary cap window, which is less than $1 million before hitting the first apron.
According to reports, Los Angeles has shown that it is willing to include players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber in potential deals.
