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Knicks Rumors: Reasons To Love The Willy Hernangomez Signing

By Maxwell Ogden

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

1. History With Kristaps Porzingis

If Willy Hernangomez pans out, then the New York Knicks will have built the starting interior of the future. There’s may be reason to debate that belief, but Hernangomez isn’t just a talented player who can complement Kristaps Porzingis.

Hernangomez are close friends who played alongside one another from 2013 to 2015 with Baloncesto Sevilla of Spain’s Liga ACB.

By signing Hernangomez, the Knicks have effectively improved locker room morale. Porzingis, the future face of the franchise, will have a close friend whom he can turn to in times of trial, when even a mentor can’t connect with him.

Perhaps more importantly, Porzingis will have a, “Brother,” to see and converse with on a daily basis.

That goes both ways.

For Hernangomez, it’ll be nothing short of invaluable to have a friend in the Knicks’ locker room. It’s never easy for a rookie to adjust to the NBA, let alone a player who’s coming over from a different country.

Hernangomez already has vast professional experience, but as he transitions to the NBA, having a friend on his team will be of indescribable aid.

Hernangomez is talented enough to win the locker room over with his play on the court. As times inevitably get rough for a first-year player, however, there will be nothing more important for his development than the presence of a solid support system.

must read: Reasons to love the Mindaugas Kuzminskas signing

Between his friendship with Porzingis and what he provides on the court, signing Hernangomez is the most underrated move of Phil Jackson’s tenure as team president thus far.

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