Jose Alvarado Talks Injury Return, NBA Trade Deadline Rumors

Jose Alvarado insists the wait is almost over. As it is The New Orleans Pelicans are going through an uneven season and the the uncertainty of the NBA trade deadline, backup guard says return from injury imminent. The undrafted Georgia Tech dynamo, free of any oblique injuries, spoke candidly about his recovery, the mental strain of watching from the bench and the business realities that revolve around the league.

Of course, the fan favorite’s message oozed type contagious energy full of hope the Pelicans were missing.

“I’m close, I’m very close,” Alvarado said. “If you know me, I don’t sit. I can’t sit. My mind is going crazy, but I’m super close. I don’t know the timelines of what games and stuff, but I’m hoping on this trip.”

The injury itself happened during what Alvarado described as a routine game, highlighting how quickly things can change during an NBA game.

“Honestly, it was an easy game against LA,” Alvarado said. “I did a cross on the right side of the pitch, and I just felt something tear the leg. Whatever happened, it’s a muscle tear from such a small injury, and it’s bullshit. I felt it right away, and I tried to stay in the game as much as I could. You know me, I hate sitting, so I try to do everything possible to get out of the game as quickly as possible. I tried to get back, but I couldn’t take it, I was just trying to stay in the game.

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, Alvarado addressed the swirling rumors and speculation that come this time of year, especially for players on struggling teams.

“You have to stay calm. It’s a job at the end of the day,” Alvarado said. “You never know, you might get a call and stuff, but at the end of the day, it’s still basketball. So I try with this group, we just stick with it. If it happens, you know, it happens. We can’t change anything. So if anything, whether he goes to another team or not, it’s still the game of basketball. You just have to stay level-headed with this little bit of stress. We know what can happen. We have to stay connected at all times.

Alvarado has become a fan favorite in New Orleans since joining the team in 2021, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most pesky defenders and bringing energy off the bench. His pragmatic approach to the trade deadline reflects the maturity of a player who understands the realities of professional basketball while keeping his focus on what he can control.

Whether the 27-year-old returns during the current trip or soon after, the Pelicans are preparing for his reintegration. His comments reflected both the urgency and maturity of a player eager to compete but aware of the long-term stakes. As the deadline approaches and New Orleans weighs its options, Alvarado’s focus remains on being available, productive and ready for whatever comes next.