Knicks Rumor: Teams Interested in Acquiring Guillermo Hernangómez Rights

The NBA trade deadline is upon us, and teams have been inquiring about acquiring the rights to Guillermo Hernangómez from the New York Knicks.

The NBA trade deadline is today! The hours are winding down on the February 18th 3 P.M EST deadline.

According to Orazio Cauchi of Sportando, teams are interested in acquiring the rights to Guillermo Hernangómez from the New York Knicks.

"The New York Knicks are receiving interest in one of their few assets, the rights to Willy Hernangomez, a source told Sportando. Several teams are calling to check avalaibility on Hernangomez rights, the Knicks are very high on the Spanish kid but their lack of assets may force them to move him in a trade, the source added.Knicks would love to move Jose Calderon but his contract is not getting interest unless New York sweetens the deal with something more and the rights to Hernagomez may be useful in this situation. Hernangomez has another year of contract with Real Madrid but the Spanish team knows that they may lose the kid during the off-season."

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New York acquired Hernangómez with the 35th overall selection in the 2015 NBA draft from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for two future second round picks. The Knicks drafted Hernangómez knowing full-well that he was a draft and stash type of player.

Hernangómez is currently averaging 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game for Liga ACB, Euroleague this season. And is averaging 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game for Real Madrid, per Basketball-Reference.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Andy Miller – Hernangómez’s agent, says that he is developing nicely overseas and would have been a top-20 pick this year.

"Though he’s coming off the bench on a stronger team, Hernangomez is developing more because of Real Madrid’s facilities being better than the ones in Sevilla, according to his agent, Andy Miller.Miller, who runs New Jersey-based ASM Sports, also reps Porzingis. He said he believes if Hernangomez were in this June’s draft: “He’d be a top-20 pick.’’"

If Hernangómez has truly become a top-20 talent, it would be a shame to give that up JUST to trade away Jose Calderon‘s contract… There is only one more year left on the contract for $7,708,427 next season… The Knicks probably should have used the stretch provision earlier… but with the lack of depth in the point guard position as it is… might as well just use Calderon for now…

Another reason that keeping Hernangómez’s rights, might be a good idea is the fact that him and Kristaps Porzingis were teammates in Europe. The two became good friends while playing together, in fact Porzingis is still in constant contact with the 6’10” power forward.

"“I talk to him every day [by text],’’“The last two seasons, we were really good friends, hung out all the time outside of basketball. We have a really good connection.’’"