New Orleans Pelicans: Willy Hernangomez provides solid frontcourt depth

Willy Hernangomez can be a reliable contributor in certain matchups for the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have finally made their first free-agent signing of the NBA offseason. It wasn’t a major move by any means, but the Athletic’s Shams Charania did announce earlier today that the organization is signing big man Willy Hernangomez to a one-year contract at the league minimum.

For those of you that don’t know, standing at 6’11” Willy Hernangomez is a 4-year veteran who came to the NBA from Spain after being drafted by the New York Knicks with the 35th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Given that the Pelicans have signed him for a considerably low value, I have to say I really like this signing. Even though I don’t think Hernangomez will move the Pelicans’ ceiling considerably, I believe he has to potential to be a solid contributor for the team, and here’s why.

Why Willy Hernangomez could be a quality player for the New Orleans Pelicans

The reason why I’m fond of the Hernangomez signing is that whenever I think about him, I can’t help but look back at the potential he showed during his rookie season with the Knicks.

In limited minutes with the Knicks during his rookie season, Hernangomez averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds a game along with 1.3 assists per game too. In that season, he appeared to be the perfect center to compliment the Knicks’ then-star Kristaps Porzingis. That’s because despite some of Hernangomez’s shortcomings athletically, he flashed a smooth offensive game with some clean post-work and an underrated passing ability.

However, after Hernangomez’s rookie season, he was traded to Charlotte Hornets, and ever since that move he’s been tucked away deep on the Hornet’s bench. I won’t lie it’s definitely concerning to me that Hernangomez couldn’t get minutes on a bad Charlotte team, but what if the Hornets just didn’t know how to use him?

Looking at Hernangomez now that he’s signed with the Pelicans, I see a player who has to tools do exactly what Stan Van Gundy likes big men to do in his offense. He’s an effective screen setter, a solid post-scorer, and knows how to get the ball to open teammates quickly. Putting it plainly, he’s a team player.

Also, for a big man, Hernangomez hasn’t been too shabby as a 3 point shooter and has shown the willingness to take 3 point attempts from the corners. I wouldn’t be surprised if Van Gundy and the rest of the Pelicans coaching staff try to hone in on this trait and make Hernangomez a stretch-four on occasions too.

Look, I’m not saying that Willy Hernangomez will get a lot of minutes on this team or even be any type of phenom in his limited action. He probably won’t with Steven Adams and Jaxson Hayes on the roster. All I’m saying is that on a minimum deal, Hernangomez has the opportunity to be a productive player. If it doesn’t work out that way, at least he won’t cost the team that much.