Before the February trade deadline, virtually every available point guard will be linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves. For a team with championship aspirations, a PG core of Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland isn’t going to cut it. While it’s natural to shoot for the stars and trade the likes of Ja Morant or LaMelo Ball, I truly believe a reliable role player is all the Wolves need.
With that in mind, I think New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado would be a perfect fit. The Pelicans could be viewed as sellers before the deadline. Yes, they don’t have a first-round pick before 2026, so it’s possible they don’t go this route. However, with a 3-22 record, the Pelicans must ultimately embrace a rebuild. Frankly, their veterans haven’t helped them win games, so getting younger could benefit them.
If the Pelicans go this route of selling, the Timberwolves should absolutely pursue Alvarado.
Jose Alvarado is the perfect point guard for the Wolves
Minnesota needs a little bit of everything, no matter which point guard they trade. They need someone who is a stabilizing force in play, who can create for himself, defend and spot. That’s a rare combination to find, especially if you’re targeting role players. If the Wolves can’t find someone who can do all of these things, it’s not the end of the world.
However, Alvarado can do all these things.
Alvarado is posting averages of 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.1 on 44.7/38.6/83.3 shooting splits. Nicknamed “Grand Theft Alvarado,” the 6-foot-1 guard is best known for his pesky defense. The Wolves could use an extra point guard.
Offensively, Alvarado is a reliable playmaker, capable finisher and spot-up shooter. Notably, the Georgia Tech product shoots an impressive 70 percent at the rim, and as previously mentioned, his three-point percentage of 38.6 percent is a plus.
By all accounts, Alvarado would be a perfect fit for the Wolves.
Trading for Alvarado would come at a painful cost
Trading for Alvarado would most likely come at the cost of giving up Dillingham or perhaps Terrence Shannon Jr. The Wolves would probably have to bring some draft capital as well, perhaps even a first-round selection, as neither player has shown much in the NBA. Still, it would make sense for the Pelicans to bring in young talent.
Would this be painful for the Wolves? Absolutely, especially when it comes to trading Dillingham, who gave the Wolves two first-round picks in 2024. However, landing Alvarado would bring the Wolves closer to contention. If you don’t want to trade Dillingham for Alvarado (or any other player), you would be adhering to the sunk cost fallacy.
It’s also worth wondering whether Dillingham will ever be able to develop into a competitive Wolves team. He is currently losing minutes to Bones Hyland. For a rebuilding Pelicans team, however, that’s a different story.
In general, every transaction comes at a cost, but finding a player that perfectly suits your team’s needs is worth the said cost.
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