New York Knicks count on Jose Alvarado's deal to bolster bench depth

The Knicks have allocated roughly $12.4 million for backups Landry Shamet, guard Jose Alvarado and forward Mohamed Diawara, aiming to keep the bench strong while staying under the luxury‑tax threshold. Alvarado secured a three‑year, $14 million extension after arriving via a February trade, a move praised by analysts who gave the Knicks an A+ for retaining him at a modest price.

The bench’s importance grew after center Mitchell Robinson left in free agency; the team added veteran Andre Drummond as a rebounder but still seeks a third‑string big man. The front office’s strategy of affordable depth over blockbuster signings places the bench’s performance at the center of the Knicks’ title‑defense hopes for the upcoming season.