Big men revisited – OKC Thunder have a size problem with an easy fix

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Steven Adams
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Steven Adams /
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Willy Hernangomez

The 23 year-old big man from Spain averaged 8.2 points (53 percent from the field, 73 percent on FT) and 7.4 rebounds in 18 minutes per game last season, earning All Rookie First Team honors. Touted as one of Real Madrid’s brightest prospects, Hernangomez  spent 5 years playing professionally before declaring for the 2015 NBA where he would be taken 35th overall.

Hernangomez is an offensively gifted center who possesses a combination of size and strength. He plays primarily on the block and looks to bury opposing defenders deep in the paint. When he is able to establish himself down low, Hernangomez is a strong finisher at the rim (61 percent last season). He displays high IQ in the post, using a combination of nifty footwork and fakes to finish with either hand. The Spaniard is also an elite offensive rebounder, averaging an impressive 2.4 offensive boards (17th overall) in 18 minutes of action last season. He was the only top 20 player to play less than 20 minutes per game.

Best Rookie Performance

Hernangomez showcased all his offensive skills in the 108-96 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He lead the Knicks back from a 18 point deficit in the third quarter before being subbed out (strangely) by Jeff Hornacek. He went on to finish with 24 points (11-16 shooting) and 13 rebounds (5 offensive) in 34 minutes.

After an impressive 2016-17 season, Hernangomez was earmarked as a future building block in New York alongside rising star Kristaps Porzingis.

The Melo aftermath

If there was one player who didn’t benefit from the Carmelo Anthony trade, its Hernangomez. In the exchange with OKC, the Knicks acquired Enes Kanter, a center with exactly the same skills as the Spanish big man.

Coach Hornacek has elected to play Kanter and Hernangomez’ minutes have halved from 18.4 last year to 9.3 this season. Given the Turk’s play averaging a staggering 14.5 points (58 percent FG, 81 percent FT) and 10.9 rebounds in only  25 minutes it’s likely that’s where Herangomez remains. Hernangomez has seen a meager 27 minutes of action in 5 games which includes 2 DNP’s. Future playing time seems unlikely.

How he fits in OKC

OKC’s second unit could use an aggressive scorer in the post. A Felton-Hernangomez pick and roll combo will help with creating more space. The Thunder’s bench is full of athletic wing players who rely heavily on jump shots. Adding the Spaniard would create opportunities to cut along the baseline or shoot uncontested from the outside.

As currently constructed, Felton is the only player who can create his own offense. Additionally, Hernangomez shows good vision from the high post, dishing a career 1.3 assists per game. Oklahoma City could potentially run offensive sets through him and utilize the athletic abilities of its wings.

Defensively, he will need help. Patrick Patterson, Josh Huestis, Jeremy Grant and Andre Roberson are all excellent defenders and can cover his deficiencies on that end. Hernangomez struggles in pick and roll coverages but he shows awareness when he hedges hard on the ball handler. It allows him to cover if his guard is unable to get around the screen.

His +0.6 defensive plus-minus is encouraging moving forward and displays potential to grow.

With his future up in the air, Hernangomez is a  plausible target for OKC. His offense would be invaluable on a bench unit that typically struggles to score.