With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Knicks are actively working the phones in search of bench reinforcements-and a few intriguing names have surfaced on their radar. According to reports, New York has expressed interest in Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, and rookie center Yves Missi. Each player offers a unique skill set that could address specific areas of need for a Knicks team looking to bolster its depth for a postseason push.
Jeremy Sochan: A Defensive Swiss Army Knife
Let’s start with Sochan. The 6’8” forward out of San Antonio isn’t going to light up the scoreboard, but that’s not why the Knicks are interested.
What Sochan brings is defensive versatility, energy, and a bit of controlled chaos-qualities that could inject some bite into New York’s second unit. He’s the kind of player who can guard multiple positions, crash the glass, and make hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score but shift momentum in games.
His offensive game is still evolving, particularly his jumper, but he’s shown flashes as a connector-someone who can keep the ball moving and make the right reads. Sochan is on a $7.1 million deal and will be a restricted free agent this summer, so any move for him would come with the potential for long-term investment. For a Knicks team already built around defensive grit, adding Sochan could be a seamless fit.
Jose Alvarado: Pressure at the Point
Then there’s Jose Alvarado, who’s carved out a niche in New Orleans as a sparkplug off the bench. He’s not just a backup point guard-he’s a tone-setter.
Alvarado brings relentless on-ball pressure, quick hands, and a knack for disrupting opposing offenses. He’s averaging 7.9 points and 3.2 assists in under 22 minutes per game, and while those numbers don’t jump off the page, his impact goes beyond the stat sheet.
Behind Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have been searching for a reliable secondary ball-handler who can push tempo, create in the pick-and-roll, and hold his own defensively. Alvarado checks those boxes. His $4.5 million option for next season adds flexibility, making him a low-risk, high-energy addition.
Yves Missi: A Long-Term Play in the Paint
Yves Missi is the most developmental of the trio, but his upside is hard to ignore. The rookie big man has seen his minutes dip in New Orleans, but he’s already shown flashes of rim protection, rebounding, and vertical spacing. He’s raw, no doubt, but the tools are there-length, mobility, and a willingness to do the dirty work inside.
Missi is on a rookie-scale deal with a $3.5 million option already picked up for next season, making him a cost-effective project for a team that can afford to be patient. For the Knicks, who have traditionally leaned on veteran bigs, Missi could be a developmental swing worth taking if the price is right.
The Yabusele Conundrum and Cap Crunch
On the flip side, the Knicks are reportedly exploring ways to move Guerschon Yabusele, who hasn’t panned out as hoped since arriving in New York. Both the Spurs and Pelicans have been involved in preliminary discussions, potentially as part of a multi-player deal.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the cap situation. The Knicks are hard-capped and operating just below the second apron, which means they can’t take back more salary than they send out.
That puts a premium on precision. Every dollar matters, and any deal they make has to be carefully structured to stay within the financial lines.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about swinging for the fences-it’s about sharpening the edges. The Knicks have a solid core and a clear identity.
What they’re looking for now is the kind of depth that can make a difference in a playoff series. Sochan, Alvarado, and Missi each bring something different to the table, and if the front office can navigate the cap math, one or more of them could be wearing orange and blue by the deadline.
The clock’s ticking. Let’s see how creative the Knicks can get.