New York Knicks Pushing To Sign Willy Hernangomez

New York Knicks general manager Steve Mills publicly acknowledged the team’s desire to sign Willy Hernangomez.

It was reported in May that the New York Knicks had signed Willy Hernangomez to a four-year contract worth $4.5 million. That report was quickly shot down by Hernangomez’s agent, but false or not, the news piqued the interest of many Knicks fans.

General manager Steve Mills acknowledged the desire to see Hernangomez in orange and blue, and stated that the front office shares it.

The Knicks traded to acquire Hernangomez with the No. 35 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. Hernangomez spent this past season with Liga ACB powerhouse Real Madrid, but Mills is hopeful that he can bring the 22-year-old to New York for the 2016-17 season.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Mills said on MSG Network that the Knicks are already making an effort to sign Hernangomez.

"Mills said one player the Knicks certainly have interest in is Willy Hernangomez. The GM said the Knicks hope to sign Hernangomez, a 2015 second-round pick, this summer.“We won’t be able to do anything until July 1 but we’re in conversations about that,” Mills said of signing Hernangomez."

That’s a very rational goal for the summer of 2016.

Hernangomez is a 6’11” and 255-pound center with a near 7’2″ wingspan and above-average athleticism. He moves well without the ball, is a workhorse on the offensive glass, gets great position on the low block, and is capable in scoring off of the pick-and-roll.

A potential double-double machine, Hernangomez’s athleticism, length, and energy fit the bill for the expectations of a modern center.

Prior to his 2015-16 stint with Real Madrid, Hernangomez was on loan with Baloncesto Sevilla. If that club sounds familiar, it’s likely because Kristaps Porzingis played for the same team during his tenure in Spain.

It’s no coincidence that Hernangomez and Porzingis were Sevilla’s starting frontcourt, and could now both be playing for the Knicks in 2016-17.

Hernangomez’s desire to make the jump to the NBA was reported in late March. It’s been reiterated in recent months, which establishes that the interest for Hernangomez to play for the Knicks in 2015-16 is mutual.

It’s also worth noting that Hernangomez recently posted a picture with Porzingis on his official Twitter account, with a caption reading, “Brothers.”

It’s safe to say Porzingis wants Hernangomez to make the jump to the NBA, as well.

Whether it’s to reunite the future face of the franchise with his close friend, or to shore up the interior, signing Hernangomez makes sense. His athleticism and energy fit Jeff Hornacek‘s system, and his style of play is quite similar to Robin Lopez‘s.

If nothing else, the Knicks can develop a sense of continuity from starter to reserve.

Mills and Phil Jackson will need to work out the details of the contract. While some may view Hernangomez as merely Porzingis’ friend, Jackson and Mills seem to realize how valuable he can be on the court.

All things considered, there’s a very good chance that Hernangomez will be a member of the Knicks in 2015-16.

must read: Attainable point guards in the 2016 NBA Draft

Let the free agency games begin.