Trade Alert: Hornets Acquire Willy Hernangomez from Knicks

Trade Alert: Hornets Acquire Willy Hernangomez from Knicks

The Hornets have acquired Center Willy Hernangomez from the New York Knicks, in exchange for Johnny O'Bryant and Two 2nd Round Picks.

The Hornets have acquired Center Willy Hernangomez from the New York Knicks, in exchange for Johnny O'Bryant and Two 2nd Round Picks.

In a surprising move Wednesday, the Charlotte Hornets sent 24-Year Old Backup PF Johnny O'Bryant to the New York Knicks and acquired 23-Year Old Center Willy Hernangomez.

Hornets Acquire: C Willy Hernangomez - Background

On Tuesday, February 6, news broke that Hernangomez had requested a trade from the Knicks. Just one day later, he learned that he was being sent to the Charlotte Hornets. Hernangomez started 22 games in his rookie season last year but started 0 games this season. Obviously unimpressed with his minutes on the Knicks, he was hoping to earn more minutes with a new team. Willy Hernangomez was drafted 35th overall by the New York Knicks following the 76ers swapping picks in a trade with the Orlando Magic that involved Elfrid Payton, then swapping again with New York. In November of 2016, Hernangomez was assigned to the New York G-League Roster and later recalled on the same day.

  Photo taken by Keith Allison

In his 2 seasons with the New York Knicks, Hernangomez averaged 7.1 Points in 15.9 Minutes per game. He also added 5.8 Rebounds, 1.2 Assists, and 0.5 Steals.

Willy Hernangomez was awarded the April 2017 Rookie of the Month and made the 2016-17 1st-Team All-Rookie Roster.

Hernangomez signed a 4-Year deal worth approximately $5 Million total. He will earn about $1.5 Million per year (on average) throughout the 2019-2020 season. The 2019-2020 season is not guaranteed in the contract.

Hornets Send: PF Johnny O'Bryant

Johnny O'Bryant has always been a backup for the Charlotte Hornets. In June of 2014, O'Bryant was drafted 36th Overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. After signing a multi-year rookie contract that year, the Bucks waived O'Bryant in 2016. A few months later, O'Bryant was signed by the Washington Wizards, before being waived shortly after. In Early February, O'Bryant signed a 10-day contract with the Nuggets, before finally signing and extending his 10-day contract with the Charlotte Hornets.

In 2 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, O'Bryant averaged only 4.7 Points playing 10.3 Minutes per game. He also added 2.6 Rebounds and 0.5 Assists.

Johnny O'Bryant was a 2010-11 McDonald's All-American player as an amateur.

On March 16, 2017, O'Bryant signed a 1-Year Contract with the Hornets that was worth approximately $1.5 Million.

Overall, I loved this trade. Willy Hernangomez is a solid young player with good potential and definitely won't hurt the Hornets' salary cap. O'Bryant has never made a significant impact on the Hornets, and second round picks are worth little to nothing in today's NBA.

Stats via Basketball Reference

In a surprising move Wednesday, the Charlotte Hornets sent 24-Year Old Backup PF Johnny O'Bryant to the New York Knicks and acquired 23-Year Old Center Willy Hernangomez.

Hornets Acquire: C Willy Hernangomez - Background

On Tuesday, February 6, news broke that Hernangomez had requested a trade from the Knicks. Just one day later, he learned that he was being sent to the Charlotte Hornets. Hernangomez started 22 games in his rookie season last year but started 0 games this season. Obviously unimpressed with his minutes on the Knicks, he was hoping to earn more minutes with a new team. Willy Hernangomez was drafted 35th overall by the New York Knicks following the 76ers swapping picks in a trade with the Orlando Magic that involved Elfrid Payton, then swapping again with New York. In November of 2016, Hernangomez was assigned to the New York G-League Roster and later recalled on the same day.

  Photo taken by Keith Allison

In his 2 seasons with the New York Knicks, Hernangomez averaged 7.1 Points in 15.9 Minutes per game. He also added 5.8 Rebounds, 1.2 Assists, and 0.5 Steals.

Willy Hernangomez was awarded the April 2017 Rookie of the Month and made the 2016-17 1st-Team All-Rookie Roster.

Hernangomez signed a 4-Year deal worth approximately $5 Million total. He will earn about $1.5 Million per year (on average) throughout the 2019-2020 season. The 2019-2020 season is not guaranteed in the contract.

Hornets Send: PF Johnny O'Bryant

Johnny O'Bryant has always been a backup for the Charlotte Hornets. In June of 2014, O'Bryant was drafted 36th Overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. After signing a multi-year rookie contract that year, the Bucks waived O'Bryant in 2016. A few months later, O'Bryant was signed by the Washington Wizards, before being waived shortly after. In Early February, O'Bryant signed a 10-day contract with the Nuggets, before finally signing and extending his 10-day contract with the Charlotte Hornets.

In 2 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, O'Bryant averaged only 4.7 Points playing 10.3 Minutes per game. He also added 2.6 Rebounds and 0.5 Assists.

Johnny O'Bryant was a 2010-11 McDonald's All-American player as an amateur.

On March 16, 2017, O'Bryant signed a 1-Year Contract with the Hornets that was worth approximately $1.5 Million.

Overall, I loved this trade. Willy Hernangomez is a solid young player with good potential and definitely won't hurt the Hornets' salary cap. O'Bryant has never made a significant impact on the Hornets, and second round picks are worth little to nothing in today's NBA.

Stats via Basketball Reference

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