New York Knicks: What’s the deal with Willy Hernangomez?
By Nick Zaccone
After a promising rookie season, Willy Hernangomez now serves as a role player for the New York Knicks.
In September, the New York Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City. They received Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott in return, who so far have been key pieces in Coach Hornacek’s rotation. The addition of Enes Kanter, unfortunately, has caused Willy Hernangomez’s minutes to decrease.
Now that Kanter starts and Kyle O’Quinn is still the direct backup, why let a young asset go to waste? When the Suns were looking to trade Eric Bledsoe, the Knicks refused to let Hernangomez go. Phoenix wanted Frank Ntilikina as well, so it’s understandable why Scott Perry would deny such an offer, but why continue to sit a player with such potential?
Last season, Hernangomez averaged 8.2 PPG and 7.0 RPG in 18.4 MPG. These were promising numbers for Willy considering he was such a late draft selection. This year, however, he’s only averaging 4.4 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 9.0 MPG. With his minutes cut by more than half, he’s practically becoming a non-factor.
Having four guys at the same position could prove to be a burden. Enes Kanter is a double-double machine. Kyle O’Quinn steps up when he’s needed, serving as a reliable rebounding and scoring option off the bench. Joakim Noah is making too much money for any team to want him. Like it or not, the odd man out is Hernangomez. As we know, Scott Perry has no interest in dealing the young prospect. But what if he did?
Melo’s move to the Thunder hasn’t left the largest hole at small forward for the Knicks. However, it’s forcing Tim Hardaway Jr. to play out of position. This hasn’t held his numbers back, but New York would be much better off with Hardaway at his natural spot of shooting guard and Courtney Lee as their sixth-man. Lee’s veteran presence has had a tremendous impact on the younger players, while also providing the starting five with great perimeter shooting and defense. Not a bad resume for a potential veteran sixth-man.
If the New York Knicks are going to trade Willy Hernangomez for a small forward, it would have to be in exchange for another young prospect. The roster is in the midst of a rebuild. Acquiring a middle-aged or older player wouldn’t do the team any good.
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Ironically, Phoenix is the first place I would look. Because they drafted Josh Jackson, it wouldn’t kill them to trade away T.J. Warren. Warren currently starts for the Suns, posting 18.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG over the first 20 games of the season. On the other hand, Jackson holds a bench role and produces 9.4 PPG and 3.7 RPG. This is nothing in comparison to Warren, but Phoenix would be less willing to trade Josh Jackson based on the fact that he’s a 20-year-old rookie.
The Knicks should agree to take either small forward from Phoenix, it just depends on who they’re more comfortable trading away. The Suns undoubtedly have interest in Willy as well, so making a deal like this happen shouldn’t be that difficult.
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Even though Hernangomez is a good friend of KP, New York shouldn’t be holding themselves back by keeping four centers on the roster. A player with his talent should have more minutes, but the two guys in front of him on the depth chart fit the rotation too well. If Willy Hernangomez isn’t given more minutes, the Knicks need to consider dealing him for a talent they can utilize.