The Puerto Rican Jose Alvaradopoint guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, agreed to a two-year, $9 million contract extension, a person close to the negotiation reported Saturday.
Included in the agreement is an alternative for the player to renew in the 2026-27 campaign, said the source, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been officially announced.
The deal, originally reported by the Times-Picayune, comes as Alvarado, a strong backup who came undrafted from Georgia Tech in 2021, was set to begin his final season under the original deal.
During three seasons in the NBAAlvarado has developed a reputation as a valuable defender with the ability to sneak up on rivals who have the ball to strip them of it. He was known for similar plays in college basketball, earning him the nickname “Grand Robbery Alvarado.”
He was named the 2021 ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
In 171 games with New Orleans, Alvarado is averaging 7.5 points, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 18.5 minutes. He played for the Puerto Rican team that participated this year in the Paris Olympic Games.
This season, he will be among the primary replacements for newly acquired point guard Dejounte Murray.
Pelicans training camp opens Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, a day after players report to a media day in New Orleans.
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