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Willy Hernangomez Requests Trade From Knicks, Rightfully So?!

This year was supposed to be a breakout year for Willy Hernangomez. Hernangomez was more than promising for the Knicks last season, in which he outplayed Joakim Noah.

New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek had used Hernangomez in a number of ways all season, and he had strived in each of them. Whether coming off the bench, providing a spark with his ability to work in the paint and crash the boards, the 23-year-old center had emerged as a valuable bigman for New York.

That’s the reason everyone expected him to play big minutes this season. Even more so after an impressive EuroBasket this past summer. Hernangomez teamed up with Pau and Marc to play for their home country Spain, and was able to learn from them.

“Being in EuroBasket, being with the Gasol brothers every day, I think is something special,” said Hernangomez. “I think I’m really a more complete player right now. So I feel like Gasol brothers, helped me a lot. They gave me great advice.”

“They told me a couple tricks. How to read the defense, tricks on how to be more focused during the game, before a game, so I can be more ready.

“On offense, a couple tricks that Pau showed me. Marc, how to play more in the low post, how to read the defense. Because now everybody knows me a little bit more, so I have to do better passes. I think it’s going to be a great challenge for me and I’m ready for it.”

Known as Kristaps Porzingis’ frontcourt mate while playing together in Spain, the New York Knicks traded for 2015 No. 35 overall pick Willy Hernangomez on draft night to reunite the two. Now, it seems that the two may be separated again.

Hernangomez is displeased with his lack of playing time and has requested a trade.

Representatives for New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez requested for him to be traded ahead of Thursday’s deadline, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Hernangomez’s representatives informed Knicks officials of the trade request in recent days, league sources said, seeking a team in which he can continue his development as a young NBA center.

Via Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:

After making the All Rookie first team last season, his playing time has dwindled this season. The Spaniard is only averaging 9 minutes and 14 seconds per game. According to ESPN, more than 12 teams have apparently expressed interest in trading for Hernangomez who could thrive on a new team and has all the tools to become a great big man.