Just when we thought everything was rosy and the Knicks were on their way to never dealing with a loss for the remainder of eternity, things went south, or at least a bit southwest.
First, it was James Dolan who dropped the bomb right before a historic ticker-tape parade took place in the Canyon of Heroes, making it very clear—albeit we’re still debating whether or not he knows what he’s talking about—he’s not interested in pushing his franchise into the second apron for the 2026-27 season.
That, of
course, comes with the consequence of, inevitably, losing one—if not both—of unrestricted free agents Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado.
And hey, the Boricua is reasonably and completely understandably saying what we would all say as he approaches free agency, having a player option in his deal worth $4.5 million, but likely having suitors with more dough waiting on the wings.
Alvarado appeared on The Breakfast Club and revealed his early-offseason plans, as well as discussing many other interesting stuff. This is what he said when asked if, after winning the championship, he still has the chip on his shoulder and how he’s getting ready to get his first big contract.
“Hell yeah, I got it. First of all, I got to go get paid. Hopefully, God willing (I’ll get the big deal). I want to be in this for a long time. I love this life, I love the NBA life. It feeds my family and it puts me in rooms where I can never be at. I’m here with y’all, you know what I’m saying? So, I got to work.
“I always made my way. So, it was always like, ‘Yo, every time I got to come here, I got to prove to myself.’ And that’s what my life is about, and that’s fine with me, though.”
Did Alvarado say he’s leaving? Nope. Did Dolan hint at not paying him, not at least as much as he might deserve and want? You bet.
So, there’s that. What do you think about the free-agency situation? Will Dolan relent and let Leon Rose cook his way? Will he put the clamps on the FO and limit their operation, bringing a sudden-and-sad end to the Knicks’ winning team? Let us know in the comments section below!
