Lakers Predicted to Turn Nothing Into FIBA MVP

Injuries have hit hard. LeBron remains out. Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber have all missed time. The Lakers have held firm, but the margin for error is thin. Their +1.0 net rating suggests that they’re skating on the edge.

The bench has been particularly lifeless. Depth is separating contenders like Oklahoma City from the rest. The Thunder’s 11th man, Ajay Mitchell, is averaging 17 points a night. That’s the kind of luxury the Lakers don’t have. To fix that, they must find energy, defense, and production from somewhere new. That’s exactly the kind of impact Jose Alvarado could bring to the Lakers.

Why Alvarado Fits the Lakers’ DNA

Alvarado has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most disruptive defenders. Listed at just 6 feet, he compensates with relentlessness and cunning. His sneaky full-court steals have become his trademark, but they barely scratch the surface of his value.

There’s a reason he earned MVP honors at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San Juan—his impact translates everywhere. Puerto Rico clinched a Paris Olympics berth because of him. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are 2-0 in games where he’s played over 20 minutes. It’s simple math: more Alvarado equals more winning.

Per 36 minutes, he’s averaging 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.8 steals. He disrupts offenses, speeds up pace, and brings energy that changes games.

A Trade That Makes Too Much Sense

The Lakers are last in bench points and bottom-10 in three-point shooting. Alvarado fixes both. Once considered a non-shooter, he’s now hitting 48.1% from deep on 3.4 attempts per game. Combine that with his defensive pressure, and he’s the prototype of what the Lakers need off the bench.

He’d fit perfectly as Smart’s defensive understudy, helping the Lakers preserve Smart’s body for the postseason. More importantly, Alvarado’s contract—just $4.5 million—makes a deal painless. Packaging sophomore Dalton Knecht, who’s barely contributing, would make it work financially. The Lakers would be turning nothing into something—a rotational two-way guard who already has FIBA MVP credentials.

The Right Move at the Right Time

The Lakers are in the best-case scenario for a team missing its superstar. But holding steady isn’t enough in a stacked Western Conference. They need reinforcements who bring energy, defense, and shooting.

A move by the Lakers for Jose Alvarado would be exactly that. It’s low-cost, high-impact, and solves multiple problems at once. As the season grinds on, the Lakers’ front office must act decisively. The window is open—but not for long.