Willy Hernangomez wants to get traded by the deadline per hoopshype and marca.com

[j4remi]

Every argument on Willy's short-comings is right...Problem is, the Knicks are not much better, so why aren't they calling for the trade of schmucks who pick up a cheque?

This is a pretty nice summation of what I'm saying.

[Jalen Bluntson]

The whole point about what Kanter or anyone else did is irrelevant to me. I agree that they are doing the same thing but, totally different circumstances.

Billy has been running his mouth since AT LEAST November about playing time. Knowing there's a logjam of 40 million in players in front of him. He wasn't playing like he did last year. He wasn't playing better than Kanter and Kyle to start the year or in camp/practice. STFU AND EARN IT FIRST!

Can't earn something if you're never given a chance to earn it.

Kanter was a big part of us winning games and suddenly he wasn't. He was wondering what happened from what I recall. Not talking about trade me or play me.

Beasley...I don't remember what his comments even were.

Noah hasn't said a word though. He was brought here as a starter and has far more to bitch about. Not a peep.

Well for one, everyone knows why Noah isn't complaining including Noah. That's not a shining example of classy behavior, he doesn't have a leg to stand-on. But the fact that three players complained about their minutes before the new year; one starter, one rotation guy and one outside of the rotation looking in might speak to a larger problem than Willy's personality. Hence why I keep pointing out that Willy's not the only one who has done this, he's just the only one people have had a problem with doing it.

Billy going to Berman of all people? Weak as hell.

I repeat, I agree with this, not the best way to handle it. It wasn't when Kanter did it either.

If he did go to the coach and the team and didn't like the answer...then **** him. He's 23 and under contract. There is a situation he needs to be patient with or TRULY earn those minutes with THIS YEAR'S EFFORT. He hasn't. Period.

I gotta point back to the fact that he's only had 7 chances to play more than 10 minutes and been productive over those games. For him to truly earn the minutes, he needs to actually get an opportunity to earn them. 5 minutes playing out of position isn't a fair way to evaluate any player.

Again...he has been overlooked too often. I agree that he should have been given more opportunity. He hasn't taken it by storm though and, he's been whining like a school girl since October/November. That could be part of why he's NOT getting minutes. HIS actions.

IMO Jeff is losing the team. When multiple players don't know why they are not playing...communication is missing. When effort disappears and the wheels fall off like they have...the coach is part of the problem.

I think the second portion is dead on and I think it completely informs Willy's behavior, the team's demeanor, Kanter's complaints, etc. Separating Willy from everything else going on and singling him out just seems unfair when everything's a damned mess that involves this coach. If Willy saying "I want to play" in October and November is the reason he's gotten less opportunities than that's an indictment on the coach, not the player.

The kid is acting like he was the future center. He clearly has not played better than either guy in front of him. He could be the problem. I don't care about other players. Billy has been the catalyst for this discussion. He has been complaining about his PT since day one. No patience to allow the HC/FO to do what they need to to clear the deck for him? IMMEDIATELY stirring up the hornets nest that is NY Media? Continously comnenting on his own playing time when the team was competing and winning? With players who clearly were playing with effort that he has yet to show.

There is no denying he has been acting like it was his job to lose. Could be he was told that? I don't know. We were told they would focus on the kids and that really never happened for him.

He hasn't handled this like a team oriented pro. At all. THAT'S what I have a problem with. Bringing up Kanter...who made 1 comment...Beasley...1 comment...against Billy who has been doing it all year seems more unfair to me.

I do also think Jeff could be part of the problem. That doesn't excuse Billy. 2 wrongs and whatnot.

[j4remi]

The kid is acting like he was the future center. He clearly has not played better than either guy in front of him. He could be the problem. I don't care about other players. Billy has been the catalyst for this discussion. He has been complaining about his PT since day one. No patience to allow the HC/FO to do what they need to to clear the deck for him? IMMEDIATELY stirring up the hornets nest that is NY Media? Continously comnenting on his own playing time when the team was competing and winning? With players who clearly were playing with effort that he has yet to show.

There is no denying he has been acting like it was his job to lose. Could be he was told that? I don't know. We were told they would focus on the kids and that really never happened for him.

He hasn't handled this like a team oriented pro. At all. THAT'S what I have a problem with. Bringing up Kanter...who made 1 comment...Beasley...1 comment...against Billy who has been doing it all year seems more unfair to me.

I do also think Jeff could be part of the problem. That doesn't excuse Billy. 2 wrongs and whatnot.

I'll just agree to disagree at this point. I think Willy's initial comments were innocuous but flat out mischaracterized for drama. The impatience is showing now for sure, but this kid's got two weeks until the deadline and if nothing changes he's staring at a full season getting little to no play. I think that's why it's gotten increasingly more like a trade ultimatum as the deadline approaches. But at this point, we're moving circling the wagons and not all that far off from agreement, just viewing certain behaviors as more or less problematic.

[Jalen Bluntson]

The kid is acting like he was the future center. He clearly has not played better than either guy in front of him. He could be the problem. I don't care about other players. Billy has been the catalyst for this discussion. He has been complaining about his PT since day one. No patience to allow the HC/FO to do what they need to to clear the deck for him? IMMEDIATELY stirring up the hornets nest that is NY Media? Continously comnenting on his own playing time when the team was competing and winning? With players who clearly were playing with effort that he has yet to show.

There is no denying he has been acting like it was his job to lose. Could be he was told that? I don't know. We were told they would focus on the kids and that really never happened for him.

He hasn't handled this like a team oriented pro. At all. THAT'S what I have a problem with. Bringing up Kanter...who made 1 comment...Beasley...1 comment...against Billy who has been doing it all year seems more unfair to me.

I do also think Jeff could be part of the problem. That doesn't excuse Billy. 2 wrongs and whatnot.

I'll just agree to disagree at this point. I think Willy's initial comments were innocuous but flat out mischaracterized for drama. The impatience is showing now for sure, but this kid's got two weeks until the deadline and if nothing changes he's staring at a full season getting little to no play. I think that's why it's gotten increasingly more like a trade ultimatum as the deadline approaches. But at this point, we're moving circling the wagons and not all that far off from agreement, just viewing certain behaviors as more or less problematic.

We're not far off. You just lean in Billy's favor and I don't. It's all good though. Not everyone sees things the same way. Too bad these days that's not allowed without major confrontation or a major divide over a minor difference. Everything has to be all or none.

In the end...we both want to see him play...we both want the team to do what's best for the team....we both would prefer to enjoy our time watching/posting about the Knicks.

I'm right and you're almost right.

[TheDavinciCHODE]

Not sure why anyone wants to keep Willy....there's no place for players like him in the modern NBA. There are guys like Kanter and Valencinus who are literally WHG's absolute ceilings, and they struggle to get minutes anywhere.

Of course, there's always SOME room for a guy who can get buckets off the bench, but do we really want to keep a guy whose ceiling is an OK bench big?

What makes people think WHG is going to be a good player? Sure, he can get some buckets and knock in a jumpshot, but he does nothing of value in the modern NBA. Can't shoot 3's, can't make plays, can't get to the line, can't protect the rim, can't make space, etc.

So not sure why anyone wants to keep him. Of course, he's really cheap. Which is nice ! but we should put him into a deal as a sweetner and get a better long-term asset from a dumb team that has an old-school mentality.

I remember last year arguing with fans on this board that Willy had a chance to be Mark Gasol.......people are delusional. WHG can't even outplay KOQ to get minutes.

Not that I dislike the kid or anything, he just is a dinosaur. Post bigs need to be ELITE like Jokic to be difference makers...WHG is never going to be that player.

This also means there is no place for Kanter, KOQ or Noah as well.

I don't think that's true. Each of those players has better NBA tools than WHG, even if Jo and KOQ have less "skill".

If Noah were healthy, he could at least play some defense and rebound. As well as quasi-facilitate an offense from the top of the key.

Kanter is so far ahead of Willy in terms of size, rebounding, scoring ability, that it's not even close. Kanter is so good at his niche that he can always carve out a spot in the NBA.

KOQ might be less skilled. But he's tougher, stronger, and more physical than willy, and is making his living as a garbage man.

Willy is effective with his back to the basket and little else.

Each of those 3 players has better modern NBA skills than Willy.

[APE]

I mean, I don't think he should be answering these questions in general, but the Spanish outlets are obviously going to ask him about playing time because they want to see him play as well.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Not sure why anyone wants to keep Willy....there's no place for players like him in the modern NBA. There are guys like Kanter and Valencinus who are literally WHG's absolute ceilings, and they struggle to get minutes anywhere.

Of course, there's always SOME room for a guy who can get buckets off the bench, but do we really want to keep a guy whose ceiling is an OK bench big?

What makes people think WHG is going to be a good player? Sure, he can get some buckets and knock in a jumpshot, but he does nothing of value in the modern NBA. Can't shoot 3's, can't make plays, can't get to the line, can't protect the rim, can't make space, etc.

So not sure why anyone wants to keep him. Of course, he's really cheap. Which is nice ! but we should put him into a deal as a sweetner and get a better long-term asset from a dumb team that has an old-school mentality.

I remember last year arguing with fans on this board that Willy had a chance to be Mark Gasol.......people are delusional. WHG can't even outplay KOQ to get minutes.

Not that I dislike the kid or anything, he just is a dinosaur. Post bigs need to be ELITE like Jokic to be difference makers...WHG is never going to be that player.

This also means there is no place for Kanter, KOQ or Noah as well.

I don't think that's true. Each of those players has better NBA tools than WHG, even if Jo and KOQ have less "skill".

If Noah were healthy, he could at least play some defense and rebound. As well as quasi-facilitate an offense from the top of the key.

Kanter is so far ahead of Willy in terms of size, rebounding, scoring ability, that it's not even close. Kanter is so good at his niche that he can always carve out a spot in the NBA.

KOQ might be less skilled. But he's tougher, stronger, and more physical than willy, and is making his living as a garbage man.

Willy is effective with his back to the basket and little else.

Each of those 3 players has better modern NBA skills than Willy.

Billy is Kanter with less hustle and muscle. He's a better passer IMO as well but...not as strong in other aspects. More a finesse version of Kanter. He's not bad getting boards either. He just doesn't play with the same passion IMO.

He's nothing like the other 2 and never will be. Not a bad compliment to Kyle though. If we could actually dump Kanter we would be better off. Obviously.

I think people want to see him play more than they think he'll be a starter. A good backup C on a ridiculous deal has great value on a team paying 40 milion to Noah/Kanter/Kyle.

[Knicksfan20]

Pay me a milly to ride the bench. I’ll ride the fk out that bench.

[KnicksFan7]

I don't like players who haven't really proven anything trying to call the shots.

Granted his opportunity has been limited, but even in that small set, he hasn't been really good.

If he wants out, trade him.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[ozwizard8]

Can't believe I'm gonna defend Jeff but if he really was only favoring vets then he would be playing Joakim Noah. It's a little strange that a former DPOY, former All Star is just sitting quiet and not complaining while this 2nd round pick who's done absolutely nothing in his career is whining and complaining about playing time.

J.Noah got his last big paycheck from Phil.
He doesnt need anything now. He has serious health concerns anyway.

Willy needs to show himself for his future.
Willy needs playing time to develop his game.

J.Noah is doing pretty pretty pretty good. He doesnt have any of Willy's concerns for himself.

So Willy is just trying to get paid is what it boils down to then, right?

How's that any different than Enes wanting to get paid and outworking him or KOQ trying to get paid and outworking him? He's getting outworked by two guys that want it more than he does, that's why he's crying.

Those guys had easy rotation minutes in their first years of career.

Enes Kanter got plenty playing time in Utah without outperforming anyone. Ask Jazz fans.
KOQ was at Orlando so he got some time there. I guess he wasnt pleased there and signed with Knicks.

Willy wanting minutes for pay check and development like many young player.
If he stays at bench too much time he'll damage his career.

For Knicks standpoint we may not care his feelings at this point. But we'd lose on potential of Willy too.
Also Willy would help to keep KP imo.

[seren]

If anything, Willy is helping us solve a problem that we have created. We tied more than 40 million dollars to the Center position not counting KP. In this era, KP is actually the best center prospect that we have. The stupidity is not created by Willy. Him talking may at least take him out of the equation.

[HEZI]

J.Noah got his last big paycheck from Phil.
He doesnt need anything now. He has serious health concerns anyway.

Willy needs to show himself for his future.
Willy needs playing time to develop his game.

J.Noah is doing pretty pretty pretty good. He doesnt have any of Willy's concerns for himself.

So Willy is just trying to get paid is what it boils down to then, right?

How's that any different than Enes wanting to get paid and outworking him or KOQ trying to get paid and outworking him? He's getting outworked by two guys that want it more than he does, that's why he's crying.

Those guys had easy rotation minutes in their first years of career.

Enes Kanter got plenty playing time in Utah without outperforming anyone. Ask Jazz fans.
KOQ was at Orlando so he got some time there. I guess he wasnt pleased there and signed with Knicks.

Willy wanting minutes for pay check and development like many young player.
If he stays at bench too much time he'll damage his career.

For Knicks standpoint we may not care his feelings at this point. But we'd lose on potential of Willy too.
Also Willy would help to keep KP imo.

Not sure how any of that relates to Hornacek and the narrative that he prefers vets over young players and that being the reason Willy doesn't play

[Jeff Van Gully]

If anything, Willy is helping us solve a problem that we have created. We tied more than 40 million dollars to the Center position not counting KP. In this era, KP is actually the best center prospect that we have. The stupidity is not created by Willy. Him talking may at least take him out of the equation.

why remove the young, cheap guy?

willy ain't going nowhere unless it's sweetener in a big deal. and they'll eventually open up his PT.

[dakomish23]

Whose job was on the line? Perry just got hired, Mills just got appointed POBO. They're clearly telling Jeff to try to win games instead of focusing on the youth players. Stinking should've been the call, because that would be in the best interest of the team's future long term success. Instead the season is already ruined because of mismanagement.

The best interest for the team is to win games and not create an environment of losing. Now when the Knicks are mathematically out of the playoffs that's when you start playing the young guys more and see what you got. The L's will come. But some of you wanted the Knicks to be tanking since the tip of the season.

You're wrong. The Atlanta Hawks have been in the playoffs a lot in the last decade and are they any closer to winning a championship than we are? Are all star players clamoring to play in their winning culture? Short term relative winning environments do not impress anybody. Field a talented team and more players will come. The Knicks don't have the talent and should've been trying to acquire more via the draft. That's over now.

[thebuzzardman]

Not sure why anyone wants to keep Willy....there's no place for players like him in the modern NBA. There are guys like Kanter and Valencinus who are literally WHG's absolute ceilings, and they struggle to get minutes anywhere.

Of course, there's always SOME room for a guy who can get buckets off the bench, but do we really want to keep a guy whose ceiling is an OK bench big?

What makes people think WHG is going to be a good player? Sure, he can get some buckets and knock in a jumpshot, but he does nothing of value in the modern NBA. Can't shoot 3's, can't make plays, can't get to the line, can't protect the rim, can't make space, etc.

So not sure why anyone wants to keep him. Of course, he's really cheap. Which is nice ! but we should put him into a deal as a sweetner and get a better long-term asset from a dumb team that has an old-school mentality.

I remember last year arguing with fans on this board that Willy had a chance to be Mark Gasol.......people are delusional. WHG can't even outplay KOQ to get minutes.

Not that I dislike the kid or anything, he just is a dinosaur. Post bigs need to be ELITE like Jokic to be difference makers...WHG is never going to be that player.

This also means there is no place for Kanter, KOQ or Noah as well.

I don't think that's true. Each of those players has better NBA tools than WHG, even if Jo and KOQ have less "skill".

If Noah were healthy, he could at least play some defense and rebound. As well as quasi-facilitate an offense from the top of the key.

Kanter is so far ahead of Willy in terms of size, rebounding, scoring ability, that it's not even close. Kanter is so good at his niche that he can always carve out a spot in the NBA.

KOQ might be less skilled. But he's tougher, stronger, and more physical than willy, and is making his living as a garbage man.

Willy is effective with his back to the basket and little else.

Each of those 3 players has better modern NBA skills than Willy.

You yourself said "those players struggle to get minutes"

Doesn't sound like players with much of a place in the NBA. Kanter also is paid 7x to 8x more than WHG. Since neither guy is "what the modern NBA is all about", better keep the cheap dude.

Why do we even want KOQ again? Guy can't even jump over 3 sheets of paper. Again, if the C position isn't that meaningful, just get rid of all these guys for PF/SF tweeners.

[BKlutch]

Here's the real solution to our Center problem. We need to start Noah and play him 35 mins a game. He's better than Willy on D and offensively he fits right in.

You all think this is crazy, but there's method to my madness.

Spoiler:

.
....
After a month of doing this, Noah's wheels will fall off. Then we get him off the team because of a career ending injury. A lot of cap space opens up sooner. What a weight off our backs.

Then we can afford to let Willy hold Noah's old spot of DNP did not dress.

[Phish Tank]

Unless Willy's become a magical defensive anchor, his only competition is Kanter. Even though Kyle's frustrating to watch most of the time, he's a better defender than both Willy and Kanter all day any day.

So, Willy vs Kanter.... what does Willy do better than Kanter at the moment?

[thebuzzardman]

Kanter was playing like one of the top centers in the league. His defense had improved. His passing as well. People wanting him to improve as a 25 year old player...who was supposed to be a total scrub...is a bad thing? Dude was a beast and the heart of the team at one point.

I was definitely surprised and being won over by his play. I couldn't stand him in preseason and the first few games. Who knew good guard play gets the best out of a team. Since the PG play has dropped off...and the entire team is playing terrible on both ends...people were right about Kanter all along. LOL Yeah...sure. He's the only guy having issues during this 4-12 stretch.

He can't play without KP. Look it up. That means he's not a good bench fit. His salary is going to be a burden next year. 36mil for him and Noah.

I wanted him traded early this year...I would like that now. I would prefer he opt out but, I doubt it. Acting like he wasn't playing like a beast and helping the team win is ridiculous. Trying to shame people for appreciating his contributions is ridiculous. Don't be ridiculous. Such ridiculousness.

His defense has regressed to his mean. I'm not what it is about the NBA, but teams seem to treat the first 35 games as extended exhibition and truly get their sh*t together in January, and start executing on offense and defense and apparently, really understanding their scouting reports*. Hence, it's the Jack and Enes comedy show as teams put them in the P&R constantly and neither can defend it.

All that for 17 - 20 million a year? No thanks. He's a good rebounding, good low post scoring C with no defense. He's WHG when he's grown up and making the big money.


* Except the Knicks

[Knicksfan20]

Literally no Difference between guys like Kanter/Vucevic/Valencuinis/Hernangomez and no matter what they put up numbers wise, if they are one of your top paid players you’re just making a huge mistake.

It’s rough finding a quality Center in today’s game. Very limited special players at that position. That’s why KP needs to be a C because it’s hard to fill and you can pretty much find good forwards whenever.

[BowlRips]

KP (twisted knee) and KO (calf strain) both out tonight vs Warriors.. HMMMMMMM
Perfect time to showcase Willy Hernangomez!