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Summary

Hernangomez had his best season as a rookie with the Knicks in '16-'17, playing in 72 games and averaging just under 18 minutes a game. Since then, Hernangomez has yet to make an impact with Charlotte. He is not a center that offenses fear, as he doesn't provide much rim protection. On offense, he doesn't have much of a role either. He isn't someone that is going to get post touches, isn't a vertical lob threat, and doesn't have the range to stretch the defense.

 

Hernangomez's rebounding rate has consistently been near the top of the league, both on the offensive and defensive glass. Couple his rebounding with decent hands and touch, and Hernangomez should still have a place in the league. Teams looking for a backup big on the cheap that could use someone with rebounding ability who does not having brick hands on offense will show interest in Hernangomez.

Cap Considerations

Hernangomez will be an unrestricted free agent with full Bird rights and a $1.7 million cap hold. Having a low cap hold and full Bird rights could be beneficial for the Hornets, as they can keep his can hold on the books, use cap space to sign free agents, and then re-sign Hernangomez once they have used up all their cap space. The benefits to this will likely be minimal, as Hernangomez is unlikely to demand much more than the minimum as a free agent. If Hernangomez is brought back by the Hornets on a multi-year contract above the minimum, they should frontload his contract as much as possible, especially since they could do so without losing any cap space.

 

Teams other than the Hornets will have multiple ways to sign Hernangomez, as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him, or even getting him at a minimum contract.

Potential Teams: Suns, Raptors, Celtics, Heat, Pistons

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million ($1.6 million cap hit) with the Suns

Actual Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million (non-guaranteed) with the Pelicans

Hernangomez was unable to get a guaranteed contract, and will need to show improvement soon if he wants to stick around in the NBA.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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