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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) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 19: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 19: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

2. Enes Kanter’s Contract

If potentially losing Kyle O’Quinn to free agency weren’t enough, the New York Knicks could also see Enes Kanter walk in 2018. Kanter, like O’Quinn, has a player option for the 2018-19 season—a far more lucrative player option, but a player option nonetheless.

It’s possible that the Knicks will send a contract offer Kanter’s way, but without a guarantee that the Turkish big man will opt in or re-sign, it would be irresponsible to trade Willy Hernangomez.

Kanter could opt in for the $18,622,513 that he’s owed during the 2018-19 season. It’s more likely that he’ll opt out, however, even if that results in his making slightly less money per season than the $18.63 million he’d get in 2018-19.

Kanter is a productive player who will turn 26 years of age in May, which likely means he’ll be in the market for a four or five-year deal that will expire while he’s still in his prime—an intriguing proposition.

If Kanter walks, having Hernangomez on the roster would be of even greater value. As previously alluded to, the 2017 All-Rookie First Team honoree has a team-friendly contract and a similar skill set to Kanter—only for a fraction of the price.

If the Knicks opt against re-signing Kanter, then having a starting-caliber center on a rookie deal would be an ideal fallback plan—if not the grand scheme all along.

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