A report earlier in January suggested that several teams had contacted the Knicks about Willy Hernangomez, and it appears the trade interest in the second-year center hasn’t waned. According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, Hernangomez is the Knick who has received the most trade interest from rival teams.
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While clubs are interested in Hernangomez, Bondy notes that any discussions centered on the young big man often involve a follow-up question: Why isn’t he playing? After averaging 8.2 PPG and 7.0 RPG in 72 contests (18.4 MPG) in a promising rookie season a year ago, Hernangomez has posted just 4.4 PPG and 2.9 RPG in 20 games (9.3 MPG) in 2017/18.
The arrival of Enes Kanter in New York has played a big part in the reduction of Hernangomez’s role, though he’s not the only veteran center vying for minutes — Kyle O’Quinn and Joakim Noah are also in the mix. Speaking to a Spanish outlet (translation via Sportando), Hernangomez admitted that he’s hoping – and expecting – things will change in the near future.
“I think there is going to be a change,” Hernangomez said. “I hope for [the] better. I would like to continue here, but I don’t close to the doors to anything. I just want to play. There are still [two and a half] weeks left before the market closes and I want to play. I love New York, the fans, the teammates, but I am 23. I am very ambitious, I’m hungry and I want to play. I don’t care where. I am ready for everything and I am working to change the situation and play now.”
While it sounds as if Hernangomez would welcome the opportunity to simply play more minutes in New York, he also doesn’t sound opposed to the idea of being traded, if that’s what it takes for him to see more action. The Knicks will have until February 8 to see if they can move Hernangomez or another center in order to clear their logjam up front.
He’s not going anywhere. Knicks have been showcasing O’Quinn to trade him. That’s all. He’s under control and will play much more starting no later than games after Feb 9th
Nice prediction.
But I bet the braintrust really is trying to make Hernan think about D though. It probably started as a tanking-team idea but they’re going to stick with it until… feb 9
The problem is IMO is that Kanter and Willy are very similar players and neither can protect the rim so it puts a lot more on KP. O’Quinn plays bc he can defend to go along with the fact the Knicks want to showcase him. To me next year the Knicks have to choose between Willy and Kanter granted he opts out and then find a big who can defend to replace O’Quinn if they can move him for a 2nd or rotational player.
i think the only way the Knicks should trade Hernan, is if they think they will sign Kanter long term, ( i like prozingis and kanter together) trade him for a young athletic sg/sf. or if they can attach Noahs contract to him
Get rid of Noah, what a stupid contract the knickelheads
Gave him. He’s laughing all the way to the bank…..
Trade him for Hood?
Jazz already have Gobert dude, anyone who trades for Willy is in rebuilding mode. Knicks should offer Frank and Willy for Mike Conley.
Lol. worst idea ever.
My god why do the Knicks place so much value on this kid, give me Kanter over the next 4-5 years easily. Cut the rebuilding crap NY, KP and Tim are not players looking forward to rebuilding. Frank and Willy don’t fit in with the timeline, cut ties and let those kids develop elsewhere. Frank can’t shoot and his handle is suspect.
Isiah-?
Why haven’t the Knicks pulled the trigger? He’s not playing, and if teams are offering a 1st for him, then do it!!!
He’s nowhere near as gifted as Kanter, who the Knicks will have a good chance to keep long term at a fair price whether or not he opts out. But he’s still ascending and his contract the next 2 years is only slightly above minimum. Kanter and Noah are already our 2 highest paid players, and Noah’s health is still problematic. WH’s skill set and salary fit will as the 3rd (really 2nd) guy. WH hasn’t done anything wrong, it’s just KO has been a PER machine on both ends. But KO will want more next year (and deserves it) but team shouldn’t commit 45 mm plus to guys limited to one position for multiple years going forward. Of course, if someone wants to offer a 1st round pick for WH, I’d listen, but, unless its at least in the middle of the round, it would still be unlikely we’d get anyone as good or as cheap.
if Adams on OKC is worth a hundred million then so it’s Kantar.. so Kanter won’t be cheap after this contract so enjoy while still is on current salary cus boom to the moon $$ wise..lol,,but GL thou.
Agreed, but he’s making over 20 mm this year and his option is for almost 19 mm next year (so he’s already not cheap). He really likes NYC, and big men are not as in the same demand as they were historically, so I’m thinking a longer term deal, but not that much of an annual increase. 20 mm per for 4 or 5 years?