Hernangomez signed a three-year contract with Spanish club FC Barcelona on Thursday.
The 29-year-old had spent the past seven seasons in the NBA over stops with the Knicks, Hornets and Pelicans, but he'll continue his playing career in his native country after hitting free agency earlier this offseason when New Orleans declined his $2.56 million team option for 2023-24. Hernangomez likely could have found work with another NBA team on a deal for the veteran's minimum, but he'll instead return overseas on what's presumably a more lucrative contract. Given the length of the deal, Hernangomez's time in the NBA could well be over. The 6-foot-11, 250-pound center averaged 7.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game over 37 games with the Pelicans in 2022-23, but his lack of perimeter shooting and shot blocking made him a poor fit in the modern NBA.
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Willy Hernangomez: Team option declined
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Hernangomez's $2.56 million team option for 2023-24 was declined by the Pelicans on Thursday, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Hernangomez spent the past three seasons in New Orleans but saw an inconsistent role during the 2022-23 campaign. He averaged just 7.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game over 37 appearances last year and will now seek out other opportunities. It's unclear whether the 29-year-old will be able to find a consistent role elsewhere in the NBA.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Drops seven points in five minutes
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Hernangomez racked up seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), three rebounds and two steals across five minutes during Tuesday's 119-84 win over the Spurs.
Hernangomez played five minutes of garbage time, ending with a somewhat serviceable nine-category line. While he does have the ability to put up numbers, even in limited minutes, his role is simply too insignificant at this point to warrant any real attention. He is someone to keep an eye on should injuries open up a path to minutes, but for now, managers can focus their attention elsewhere.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Returns to bench Monday
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Hernangomez will return to the bench for Monday's contest against the Kings, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
With Jonas Valanciunas (calf) back in the lineup, Hernangomez will return to his normal reserve role. Across the center's first 29 games off the bench this season, Hernangomez is averaging 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds over 13.2 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Making first start of season
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Hernangomez will join the first unit for Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Hernangomez will make his first start of the 2022-23 campaign Wednesday with Jonas Valanciunas (calf) and Larry Nance (ankle) sidelined. He has put up impressive numbers in his last three appearances, averaging 15.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 18.7 minutes and should be considered a top streaming option.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Sneaky production off bench
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Hernangomez recorded nine points (2-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), eight rebounds and three steals over 11 minutes during Saturday's 128-106 loss to the Knicks.
Hernangomez saw additional run in the loss, due primarily to the fact Larry Nance was forced from the court due to an ankle injury. While it will be matchup-dependent, Hernangomez could be a player to consider, even in 12-team formats, if Nance misses time moving forward. He has the ability to rack up stats in a hurry and given that Jonas Valanciunas isn't setting the world on fire, managers may want to consider grabbing Hernangomez.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Double-doubles against Lakers
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Hernangomez logged 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-5 FT) and 11 rebounds across 17 minutes during Wednesday's 120-102 loss to the Lakers.
Larry Nance was sidelined Wednesday due to left groin soreness, and his absence paved the way for Hernangomez to re-enter the rotation after having failed to get off the bench in each of the previous three contests. Nance's injury isn't believed to be a major concern, so he could be available for the Pelicans' first game out of the All-Star break Feb. 23 in Toronto. If that's the case, Hernangomez could find himself right back outside of the rotation, so fantasy managers aren't advised to scoop him up off the waiver wire in the wake of his strong performance off the bench Wednesday.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Dominant off bench in victory
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Hernangomez racked up 22 points (7-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 16 rebounds, four assists and one block over 28 minutes during Sunday's 136-104 win over the Kings.
Hernangomez had been out of the rotation for the Pelicans' past two games, but the absence of Jonas Valanciunas (quadriceps) allowed the 28-year-old to settle into a role on the second unit while Larry Nance replaced Valanciunas as the starting center. Though he saw a larger minutes load than Nance (20), it was a result of head coach Willie Green resting most of the team's starters down the stretch while the Pelicans took a 28-point lead into the final quarter. As a result, Hernangomez will likely struggle to replicate this level of playing time and production in more competitive games, even if Valanciunas misses more time.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Goes for 12 and six in loss
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Hernangomez logged 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Tuesday's 99-98 loss to Denver.
Hernangomez was back in the rotation Tuesday, putting up solid contributions for anyone who happened to stream him in. Jonas Valanciunas was limited to just 18 minutes as a result of early foul trouble, affording Hernangomez additional playing time. Given he hadn't even seen the court in the past two games, this should be viewed as more of an outlier as opposed to what we can expect moving forward.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Good to go Friday
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Hernangomez (ankle) will play in Friday's game versus the Nets, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Hernangomez grabbed a questionable tag leading up to Friday's contest, but he has officially been given the green light to take the floor. Hernangomez will presumably slot into his usual role as a double-digit minutes contributor off the bench in New Orleans' frontcourt.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Questionable Friday
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Hernangomez is questionable for Friday's game versus the Nets due to a left ankle sprain.
Hernangomez's potential absence could allow for extended minutes for Naji Marshall and Jaxson Hayes, with Larry Nance (shoulder) also questionable. If Hernangomez can't suit up Friday, his next chance to play will be Saturday's matchup with Dallas.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Posts 13 points in 17 minutes
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Hernangomez posted 13 points (4-7 FG, 5-6 FT) and four rebounds across 17 minutes during Friday's 127-116 victory over the 76ers.
Hernangomez logged a few extra minutes with Jonas Valanciunas in foul trouble, compiling double-digit scoring for just the third time this month. While he did struggle to contain Joel Embiid, he did enough on the offensive end to at least break even. While Hernangomez does have the ability to put up 12-team value when afforded significant playing time, his opportunities are too few and far between to warrant attention outside of deeper leagues.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Sets season high in scoring
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Hernangomez closed with 13 points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-7 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal over 22 minutes during Thursday's 126-117 win over the Spurs.
Hernangomez saw an all-around showing in Thursday's victory, leading the Pelicans second unit in points, rebounds and assists while securing a season-high scoring total. Hernangomez, who was perfect at the free throw line, has recorded 10 or more points on three occasions this season.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Sets season high in scoring
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Hernangomez posted 12 points (2-3 FG, 8-10 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 20 minutes during Sunday's 121-106 win over the Nuggets.
Hernangomez posted a season-high scoring total off the bench, providing New Orleans with one of two players who reached double figures on the second unit. Hernangomez has tallied 10 more points with five or more rebounds on two occasions this season.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Falls just shy of double-double
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Hernangomez logged 10 points (3-7 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and one block over 17 minutes during Monday's 105-101 victory over the Thunder.
Hernangomez narrowly missed securing his first double-double of the 2022-23 campaign, needing one more rebound to finish in double digits. He saw his largest workload of the season Monday evening, but this was likely due to the absence of Larry Nance, who was out of action while tending to a shoulder injury. Hernangomez is averaging 4.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 8.6 minutes so far this year (eight games).
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Makes rare appearance in win
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Hernangomez finished Wednesday's 129-110 win over the Spurs with three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and one rebound over five minutes.
Hernangomez saw action for just the sixth time this season as the game descended into garbage time. Given he has played more than eight minutes only once and has a grand total of 20 points, fantasy managers are advised to steer clear outside of the deepest formats.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: At end of bench
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Hernangomez posted two points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one assist in eight minutes during Friday's 124-111 loss to the Suns.
Hernangomez has now logged just 14 minutes in total thus far -- a massive drop from averaging 16.8 minutes per game with New Orleans last season. Even with Zion Williamson (hip) missing a second consecutive game, Hernangomez was superseded by Garret Temple, Larry Nance and Jaxson Hayes on Friday.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Not starting Friday
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Hernangomez will come off the bench during Friday's preseason finale against the Hawks.
With Jonas Valanciunas sitting out for rest purposes, Hernangomez entered the starting lineup during Wednesday's exhibition and posted 17 points and seven rebounds. However, the veteran big man will return to his usual depth role during Friday's preseason finale. With Jaxson Hayes (elbow) expected to miss the start of the regular season, Hernangomez could begin the campaign as the top backup behind Valanciunas.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Making first start of preseason
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Hernangomez will start Wednesday's preseason game against the Heat.
With Jonas Valanciunas (rest) taking the night off, Hernangomez will draw the start at center in his place. The 28-year-old made 50 appearances with the Pelicans last season, averaging 9.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 16.8 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez: Double-double in win
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Hernangomez produced 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds and an assist in 13 minutes in a 111-98 win Sunday in San Antonio.
Hernangomez did most of his damage in the second half, scoring nine points and nine rebounds in seven minutes of playing time. The 28-year-old has scored at least 10 points in each of his three preseason games and is averaging 12.0 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. He posted a career-high 9.1 points last year and looks primed to repeat that performance.
