Really like this kid. Hoping Masai grabs him if he trades back. Should be gone by 20.
The biggest surprise was Juan Hernangomez. While he did not play against anyone, he did put his skills on display and he was impressive. His range all the way around the NBA three-point line was stellar. His aggressiveness around the basket in pad-contact drills was excellent. In talking with his agents, Hernangomez does not have a buyout in his contract so he’s free to come to a NBA team right away if that’s the best plan. Hernangomez also said he’d be fine staying in Europe another year or two if that’s the best plan. His skill and flexible attitude may make him hard to pass up in a fairly flat draft class. He has also been listed in various places as a small forward, which is not at all accurate. He’ll be a power forward in the NBA.”
“Yeah, I love the contact,” Hernangomez said. “It’s a different kind of play [between] Europe and USA, so I want to practice for a long time. I want to do it with a lot of energy and that’s it.”
If Hernangomez is able to match up physically with NBA big men sooner than expected, that would certainly make him one of the more intriguing players in this year’s draft class. In his time with Estudiantes, Hernangomez has shown that he has a fluid game and that he can take the ball off the dribble, in addition to his notable shooting stroke. Teams are well aware of these attributes, but are still trying to figure out what kind of player Hernangomez can be in a few years once he puts on some more muscle and is more physically developed.
While Hernangomez isn’t going to throw down highlight worthy dunks like DeAndre Jordan, he did display some notable explosiveness in his recent workout.
“Yeah, I want to prove every area, that I got it,” Hernangomez said when asked about his athleticism. “I want to be the most [complete] player that I can [be], so that’s the way. Improve everything and work so hard.”
While there is a lot to already like about Hernangomez, it is possible that a team could draft him with the intent of stashing him overseas for another year or two. While Hernangomez does not have a buyout clause (meaning he can come to the NBA immediately), he still has not decided whether he will jump to the NBA this upcoming season.
“No, I only want to enjoy this practice and enjoy the draft,” Hernangomez said when asked if he had decided whether he would come to the NBA next season. “I don’t know what position [I’ll be selected at], so it depends on the draft. Until the draft, [once I’m chosen], I’ll then have to [then] make a decision with my family, with my agent, with everybody.”
Whether Hernangomez comes to the NBA next season or at some point in the future, it’s clear that he has the potential to be a valuable addition for any team. Big men who can stretch the floor, take the ball of the dribble and rebound are considered valuable assets and Hernangomez has already proven that he is capable of doing all of those thing. The big question is determining what else he will be able to do in a few seasons. If his recent workouts are any indication, the future looks pretty bright for Hernangomez.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHpL9TbllFc[/youtube]
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-juan-hernangomez-impresses-in-workouts/
