Several teams have contacted the Knicks about backup center Willy Hernangomez, according to Ian Begley on ESPN Now.
Playing time has been an issue all season for Hernangomez as Enes Kanter took over as the starting center after being acquired from Oklahoma City, leaving Kyle O’Quinn, Joakim Noah and Hernangomez to compete for the remaining minutes.
Hernangomez has only played in three of the Knicks’ last 16 games and has appeared in just 17 all season. He is averaging 9.7 minutes per night, roughly half of his playing time as a rookie last year. The teams reaching out to the Knicks believe Hernangomez still has potential based on his performance last season, when he averaged 8.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
The Knicks don’t want to part with Hernangomez unless they receive a “prime talent” in return, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. He adds that no concrete offers have been received, but the teams making inquiries have a history of pursuing European players. New York would prefer to deal O’Quinn, who is expected to opt out this summer, but has only received “mild interest” from contenders about him.
A deal has been considered likely for some time as New York tries to solve its overabundance of centers. Hernangomez has the easiest contract to absorb, making $1,544,951 this season with a non-guaranteed $1,676,735 for 2018/19. O’Quinn is earning a little more than $4MM this year with a $4,256,250 player option for next season, while Noah is virtually untradable with two years and nearly $38MM left on his deal.
Knicks should offer Willy in exchange for Warren. Knicks get a small forward who can score alongside Tim and KP and the Suns can groom Willy into their center going forward.
How many centers would the Suns have then? Monroe, Chandler, Len…
And the Suns would never make that deal.
Bender
Going back to the poll on here yesterday about should Charlotte trade Kemba Walker maybe the Knicks could put a package together of Ntilikinia, Hernangomez, and a first for Kemba.
I had posted that yesterday as well. Win-win for everyone involved (along with Charlotte getting under the luxury tax).
I live in Charlotte and I watch a ton of Hornets games I love Kemba but this might be the best option unless they can turn some of the big contracts like MKG, Batum, and Marvin Williams into cap relief or assets
They could always use the stretch provision as well.
Knicks wouldn’t do that, and shouldn’t…. Terrible trade for them.
Why would that be terrible? Hernangomez is basically non-existant as long as Kanter is there. Ntilikina could be good, but is likely another two years away before he’s ready to contribute on both ends of the court on a consistent basis. Kemba would give them a proven scorer who can be a 1B to Porzingis 1A.
If I was the Knicks I wouldn’t do it either. Your giving away 2 kids that are 19 and a 22 year old.It’s possible that you might trade 2 lottery picks (ntilikina and this years pick) plus Willy for Kemba…no thanks. Plus if they trade o’quinn and either ride out Noah’s contract or use the stretch provision then Willy has a lot bigger roll
Celtics should trade for him
In what way is Hernangomez more desirable than Oquinn?