Willy be traded?
If the LA Clippers miss out on some of the better centers available for trade, Willy Hernangomez is a great consolation prize considering he is on an expiring, minimum-level contract.
Hernangomez has fallen out of the Hornets rotation, losing minutes to both Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo.
Only 25 years old, with good size and frame (6’11, 250 lbs) his trade stock is surprisingly low due to him seeing the least amount of minutes in his career this season. Back in his rookie season with the Knicks, he averaged 8.2 points per game along with 7.0 rebounds while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 72.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Seeing the big leap that Ivica Zubac took this season, the Clippers could potentially tap into Hernangomez’s potential and have a legit third big-man on the team.
With his contract being the minimum level, the only player that can be sent out not named Terance Mann or Mfiondu Kabengele is Derrick Walton Jr. The Hornets would most likely waive him since they have a rising young player in Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier.
Charlotte would love to at least get some compensation (the draft pick) for a player that has been on the bench all season and whose contract is up after this season.