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Spurs rumors: Knicks’ Willy Hernangomez seeking trade

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Sacramento Kings on November 11, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Sacramento Kings on November 11, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With reports of the San Antonio Spurs’ interest in Willy Hernangomez, the young center apparently wants a trade from the New York Knicks before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.

Over the weekend, The Athletic (h/t Real GM) reported the San Antonio Spurs have interest in Stanley Johnson of the Detroit Pistons and Willy Hernangomez of the New York Knicks ahead of Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline. If the Spurs acquire either player, or someone else, it would be their first deadline-day move since 2014.

However, might the Silver and Black stand a chance at acquiring one of them?

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Hernangomez will seek a trade before Thursday’s deadline. His representatives informed the Knicks of his trade request.

Sources: Center Willy Hernangomez seeks trade from the New York Knicks before NBA's Thursday deadline. Story: https://t.co/64RBpYm9Fv

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2018

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Hernangomez broke out in his rookie season in 2016-17, starting 22 games and averaging 8.2 points and 7 rebounds in just 18.4 minutes per contest. Despite this, the 2017-18 season has provided a different story for the 23-year-old center, with just 25 appearances, zero starts, 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

With Enes Kanter, Kyle O’Quinn, Kristaps Porzingis, Lance Thomas and Michael Beasley in the frontcourt, it has left Hernangomez near the end of the bench, with little to no chance of gaining extra playing time. He did appear in each of the past six games but had double-digit minutes in just two of them.

If the Spurs acquire Hernangomez, he would potentially slide in as the backup center. This role has belonged to Joffrey Lauvergne, an offseason acquisition. With sporadic playing time and averages of 3.8 points and 3 rebounds per game, it could make him expendable in a potential transaction.

Would you want to see the #Spurs pursue and acquire #Knicks center Willy Hernangomez?

— Air Alamo (@AirAlamo) February 5, 2018

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Other teams may eye the 2015 NBA Draft pick’s services, so if the Spurs are in on him, look for competition to arise. Especially with this report from Charania. Will Hernangomez join San Antonio before the trade deadline?

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