Knicks Rumors: Willy Hernangomez still a part of long-term plans
Willy Hernangomez is no longer in the rotation, but the front office has long-term plans for him. Hernangomez is still a core member of the New York Knicks.
When Scott Perry wrote a blog post revealing which players make up the core of the New York Knicks, Willy Hernangomez was the third name listed. Coming in after just Kristaps Porzingis and $71 million man Tim Hardaway Jr., Hernangomez appeared to be the franchise center.
Considering Hernangomez has appeared in just 15 of a possible 35 games in 2017-18, however, some are questioning his role in the long-term vision.
Hernangomez made the All-Rookie First Team in 2016-17, but he’s since fallen behind Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn in the rotation. That’s sparked speculation that he could be traded in 2017-18, but it appears as though a potential trade would be intended to create an opportunity for him in New York.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Hernangomez is still a part of the Knicks’ future plans—and his opportunity could come knocking in February.
"According to sources, the Knicks still consider Hernangomez, 23, a part of the future. If this stretch of 16 of 20 games on the road tosses the Knicks out of the playoff picture, they certainly will step up their bid to trade O’Quinn at the deadline and open up playing time for the Spanish center who is Kristaps Porzingis’ best friend."
Trading O’Quinn isn’t something that fans or players want to see happen, but it’s a move that makes sense from a long-term perspective.
O’Quinn will be eligible for free agency in 2018, and he’ll likely receive his fair share of hefty offers. He’ll be 28 years old in March, and has developed into one of the most productive two-way big men in the NBA.
O’Quinn’s current season averages translate to 14.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.3 offensive boards, 4.4 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.0 steal per 36 minutes on 57.8 percent shooting from the field.
If O’Quinn decides to try his hand at starting for a team that needs an upgrade at center, the Knicks may be forced to let him walk in free agency.
Thus, the trade deadline could be when the Knicks move O’Quinn to a contender that believes it’s one piece away from making the leap. It’s in that scenario that New York could potentially acquire a late first-round draft pick—much as the Brooklyn Nets were able to for Bojan Bogdanovic in 2017.
If that comes to fruition, then the Knicks could reintroduce Hernangomez to the rotation somewhere around February 8—with 26 games remaining on the regular season schedule.
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Regardless of what transpires in 2017-18, it appears as though Willy Hernangomez is still one of the core members of the New York Knicks.