The San Antonio Spurs have the means to make a blockbuster move this offseason, but are mostly expected to improve around the fringes.
Even after drafting Jayden Quaintance, the Spurs could use a power forward. If they move De’Aaron Fox, they could use a backup guard to slot in behind Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Luckily, the Spurs have plenty of cap room and roster space and are able to be flexible.
Should the Spurs look to lean more into a defense-first mindset and improve their depth, they’ve been linked to a pesky backcourt player who just beat them in the NBA Finals.
Spurs Rumored To Be Interested in Jose Alvarado
Jose Alvarado is one of the most annoying players in the NBA, and that’s not a bad thing. He’s physical and pesky, in the same vein as Chris Paul, and is one of the league’s most tenacious players.
In the postseason, he averaged 4.2 points on 35.3 percent shooting for the Knicks, and his usage went up against the Spurs in the Finals. He has a player option for next season, although he could probably make more if he hit unrestricted free agency.
The Spurs could be suitors, although they’d find themselves in a bidding war.
“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,” wrote Heavy’s Sean Deveney. “He must decide on his $4.5 million player option by Friday.”
Alvarado is worth more than $4.5 million, especially for a team with title hopes. The Spurs are expected to let Jordan McLaughlin and Lindy Waters III walk in free agency, opening up a roster spot in the backcourt.
Even with Fox in town, Alvarado would give the Spurs an injection of intensity off the bench. A team like the Knicks or Rockets would probably give him a bigger role, although the Spurs can offer much more cash. It’ll be up to him to decide where his priorities lie.
If the Spurs do sign him and otherwise don’t make a major move, their backcourt rotation would be one of the best in the league. Fox, Harper, and Castle are all stars, and Alvarado is a top-notch bench role player who can play bigger minutes as needed.
Of course, adding a tried-and-true power forward remains the top priority, but in an effort to fill out the roster, Alvarado is a name to watch.
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