Fresh Knicks Rumors Reveal 2 Trade Targets on Pelicans Before NBA Deadline
The New York Knicks are reportedly targeting a pair of New Orleans Pelicans players ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, the Knicks are interested in Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado as well as center Yves Missi.
Per Begley, Missi has also drawn "strong interest" from other teams including the Indiana Pacers and it may take "significant draft capital" for New Orleans to part ways with him.
Alvarado has previously surfaced as a target for New York, with James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reporting that the team was interested in him on Jan. 8.
The 27-year-old has showcased his defensive prowess and hustle throughout his five seasons with the Pelicans. Alvarado is also a serviceable three-point shooter, connecting on 35.0 percent of his triples throughout his career.
This season, he's averaging 7.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game on 41.5/35.6/83.3 shooting splits.
The Pelicans own a 112.3 defensive rating with Alvarado on the floor compared to a 119.7 defensive rating with him off the court during their 2025-26 campaign (via NBA.com).
While the Knicks boast wing defenders such as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges along with Mitchell Robinson protecting the rim, their perimeter defense has been inconsistent this year.
Backup point guard Miles McBride has made a strong impression defensively for New York, but he's missed the team's past five games with an ankle injury and recently underwent testing (via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post).
As for Missi, he's averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds to go along with 1.4 blocks per game off the bench. The 21-year-old is also shooting 54.0 percent from the field.
Missi earned All-Rookie Second Team honors during his 2024-25 season, but has since struggled to carve out a larger role in a New Orleans frontcourt that also includes Zion Williamson and Derik Queen.
Still, he has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract and owns a career average of 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes.
The Knicks currently sit at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference standings with a 33-18 record and are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak.
