New Orleans Pelicans: Willy Hernangómez is the backup the Pels needed

Willy Hernangómez has embraced an unexpected chance and established himself as Stan Van Gundy’s second center off the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench.

It’s often said in the NBA that little-used players have to stay ready regardless of a lack of playing time because they could be called upon at any moment. That’s certainly true for Willy Hernangómez, as the Spanish big man has gone from totally unused early in the season to a key cog in the Pelicans’ rotation.

Hernangómez is helping buoy New Orleans’ second units and has carved out a role as Steven Adams’ ideal backup in this iteration of the Pels. Hernangómez did not play at all in 15 of New Orleans’ first 18 games and, when he did see the floor, it was only during garbage time.

Stan Van Gundy preferred Nicolò Melli and Jaxson Hayes for much of the first stretch of the season. Hayes, in particular, got plenty of run once it became clear that Melli could not be relied on to defend or space the floor. But the second-year man out of Texas didn’t make the most of his opportunity.

We are quick to forget that Hayes was, in fact, supposed to effectively redshirt his rookie year. However, he ended up paying 64 games due to a combination of injuries and how some of the Pels’ former bigs were performing.

Hayes has struggled to build on those 64 games this year, but progress isn’t linear. He’s still only 20-years-old and entered the NBA incredibly raw. Time is on his side, but perhaps it wasn’t for a Pelicans team craving a playoff spot.

Enter Willy Hernangómez.