The New York Knicks are finalizing a trade to send 23-year-old center Willy Hernangómez to the Charlotte Hornets, reports Shams Charania of Yahoo:
New York is finalizing trade to send center Willy Hernangomez to Charlotte, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2018
The Knicks will receive Johnny O’Bryant and two future second-round picks:
Sources: Charlotte is sending Johnny O’Bryant and two second-round draft picks to the Knicks for Willy Hernangomez.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2018
Sources: Charlotte is sending its own 2020 and 2021 second-rounders to New York in Hernangomez deal.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2018
This news comes the morning after Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks’ franchise player, went down with a torn ACL.
On Monday, Charania reported that Hernangómez’s team requested a trade from the Knicks. This request stemmed from Hernangómez’s lack of playing time. He has played in just 26 of the team’s 52 games and has played just nine minutes per game when he does play.
This feels a bit like squandered talent for the Knicks; Hernangómez had a promising rookie season, averaging 8.2 points and seven rebounds in just 18.4 minutes per game. Why not see what he could do in his sophomore year?
It’s a bit difficult to see how Hernangómez will get much more playing time in Charlotte’s crowded frontcourt. He’ll be competing for minutes with guys like Dwight Howard, Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky and Marvin Williams.
