Jose Alvarado is a Puerto Rican point guard who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. Born on April 12, 1998, Alvarado is known for his ball-handling, shooting and feisty defense.
Alvarado's basketball journey began at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens, New York City, where he first garnered attention. As a junior, he was honored as the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Player of the Year, and he continued to shine in his senior season, earning the title of TimesLedger Player of the Year. Alvarado earned high praise from recruiting services, being hailed as a four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals, and a three-star recruit by 247Sports in the class of 2017.
Subsequently, Alvarado spent four impactful years at Georgia Tech University, playing for the Yellow Jackets basketball team. However, despite going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Alvarado’s determination and hard work in the 2021 NBA Draft Combine and Summer League got him a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. This agreement saw him splitting his time between the Pelicans and their NBA G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.
As soon as Alvarado received fringe off-the-bench minutes for the Pelicans, he quickly made his mark, and became a valuable asset for them. Now renowned for his high basketball IQ, he excels in setting up plays for his teammates. Being a 6 foot point guard, Alvarado possesses an amazing burst of speed that allows him to finish plays in traffic.
Alvarado’s defensive prowess is what makes him special. His ability to steal the ball by hiding in plain sight has become a sensation overnight. His signature move includes him lurking in the corner, seemingly unnoticed by opposing teams. However, as soon as the opposition team’s players inbound the ball, Alvarado springs into action, steals the ball and gets an easy lay-up for his team. Many NBA fans have started calling him 'Grand Theft Alvarado' due to his playful knack for stealing, a clever nod to the Grand Theft Auto video game series. It's a unique and entertaining nickname that perfectly captures his on-court antics.
Now in his third season, Jose Alvarado has cemented himself as a vital component of the Pelicans' bench.
Jose Alvarado Salary
According to Spotrac, Jose Alvarado will earn $1,836,096 for the 2023/2024 season.
A yearly breakdown of his salary as reported by Spotrac is mentioned below:
| Season | Team | Salary |
| 2021/22 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,500,000 |
| 2022/23 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,563,518 |
| 2023/24 (Team Option Exercised) | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,836,096 |
| 2024/25 (Team Option) | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,988,598 |
How long is Jose Alvarado’s contract?
Jose Alvarado’s current contract is four years long.
On August 18, 2021, Alvarado signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Later in the same season on March 28, 2022, the New Orleans Pelicans converted this two-way contract into a four-year $6,888,212 part-guaranteed rookie scale deal, and locked Alvarado until 2025.
Alvarado’s standard four-year rookie contract had team options after second and third seasons. This meant the New Orleans Pelicans held the options to decide if they wish to bring him back on the team for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 season. The Pelicans have already exercised their team option for the 2023/24 NBA season.
In the upcoming 2024 NBA off season, the Pelicans will have to make a decision if they want to bring Alvarado back for the 2024/25 NBA season or not.
FAQ's on Jose Alvarado Salary
A. Jose Alvarado's salary is $1,836,096 for the 2023/24 NBA season.
A. The Pelicans guard Alvarado stands at 6 feet 0 inches or 183 cm tall.
A. Jose Alvarado is on a four-year $6.88 million rookie contract with the Pelicans.
A. Jose Alvarado hails from Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
A. Jose Alvarado played four years of college basketball at Georgia Tech University.
A. Jose Alvarado averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in the 2022/23 NBA season.
