Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Five reasons NYK shouldn’t trade Willy Hernangomez

By Maxwell Ogden

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 8: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 8: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 21: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on October 21, 2017. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 21: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on October 21, 2017. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Kyle O’Quinn’s Pending Free Agency

Kyle O’Quinn has become a fan and locker room favorite during his time with the New York Knicks. His energy is infectious, his shot-blocking is invaluable, and his passing ability falls somewhere between underrated and awe-inspiring.

True as that may be, O’Quinn has a player option for the 2018-19 season, and it wouldn’t make much financial sense for him to accept it.

O’Quinn’s player option for the 2018-19 season will be worth $4,256,250. O’Quinn opting in to his fourth and final contract year would be wonderful for the Knicks, but he can command significantly more money—and years—on the open market.

O’Quinn will be 28 years of age in March, and will likely look to sign a long-term deal for the sake of his job security and career stability.

Knowing that O’Quinn could leave New York after the 2017-18 season, trading Willy Hernangomez would be somewhat irrational. He’s at least proven to be a high-quality backup, a la O’Quinn, only with two more seasons on the books.

Insurance for a backup may be strange to push for, but Hernangomez has two years and just $3,053,750 remaining on his deal—the ultimate bargain contract.

Home/Knicks News