Knicks Urgently Eye Jose Alvarado and Keon Ellis

Merlin sees the Knicks sliding after losing four of five, and whispers in the league say urgency is rising before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The Athletic's James L. Edwards III wrote "before this skid, any move the Knicks made... would be around the margins." New York is eyeing Jose Alvarado and Keon Ellis, two defensive-minded guards who could ease pressure on Jalen Brunson and spark the second unit. Merlin senses the front office wants small, precise fixes rather than a blockbuster. Alvarado brings energy and steals in limited minutes, while Ellis offers stingy on-ball defense and could be paired with Doug McDermott in a Yabusele-plus-picks deal. The Knicks have title pieces already; complementary defenders might be the nudge they need, provided rotations and chemistry settle quickly.