By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
With MVP honors at Eurobasket in his bag, Willy Hernangomey probably expected a more prominent role in the NBA and New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, that can’t be farther from the truth after more than half of the season.
If anything, the Spaniard is playing less than before. With 11,8 minutes on the floor, he’s had the least time in play since he got to the NBA in 2016.
With a lack of playing time and the February 9 trade deadline approaching, rumors about his departure from the Louisiana team are emerging. Reportedly, Hernangomez is on the radar of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports.
He can be a legit asset, especially with a salary of around 2.400.000 dollars and the fact that he doesn’t have a guaranteed contract for the next season. Teams like Boston and Miami, with playoff and Celtics even with championship aspirations, can add the muscle beneath the rim and release the Spaniard to free agency after the end of the season if they don’t need him.
Celtics supposedly see Willy as a player who can help Al Horford and Robert Williams take a breath, while the Heat is struggling with alternatives to Bam Adebayo. Eric Spoelstra is not counting on Dewayne Dedmon and, so far, is putting his confidence in young Orlando Robinson. The MVP of Eurobasket with more than six years of experience in the League seems like a much more reliable option.
But, in the end, it’s up to the Pelicans. Even though Willy is not playing much, he uses his time the right way, providing almost seven points and 4,6 rebounds per game, with 52% shooting from the field.
Hernangomez is also one of the favorite characters in the Pelicans’ locker room.
“He’s a great guy, one of the closest. He always smiles and transmits energy to us; he’s a great person. He never changes in the locker room; that’s what makes him a great teammate,” Trey Murphy said.
Larry Nance, fighting for minutes with the former Real Madrid player, heaped praise on his teammate, aware that he might leave the team.
“I don’t want Willy to leave. I love him. He gives the best of himself every day, on the track, outside of it… But it’s not my career. If it happens, I’ll be happy about this new opportunity for him. I’m his biggest fan,” Nance stated.