The labyrinth of Willy Hernangómez, from Eurobasket MVP to another year without playing in the NBA

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The scenario is not new for

, since they have already been in the NBA for seven seasons and, except for specific moments, he has never managed to break down the walls of the best league in the world and become a starter or, at least, an important rotation piece.

But this time there was a differentiating element: he went to his third year with the Pelicans with the supposedly best endorsement, that of the MVP of a Eurobasket in which guys like

started out .

Six months later, oblivion.

Little seems to matter that award that matched him with big names like

: the outlook for the eldest of the Hernangómez is bleak.

"He is unhappy, he needs to play", they slide from around him, while rumors are unleashed: the last one would bring him closer to the Celtics.

, his coach, has cornered the Spaniard, who has barely participated in 23 games so far this year and in only two of them did he exceed 20 minutes on court.

At the bottom of the bench, it doesn't matter if star

is still out, Willy's expression couldn't be more depressing.

He knows that he is in a spider web from which it is difficult to escape.

The transfer in a winter market that closes on February 10 would be the best of the exits to the labyrinth.

This is what he wants and "there is interest from other teams," confirm sources close to the player.

But there are many elements that play against him.

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The first, although it seems nonsense, is its performance.

Willy takes advantage of every loophole he has on the court like few others, almost always due to the injury or rest of one of those who are ahead of him in the rotation of those from Louisiana.

Which are, in this order,

, curiously, he clearly surpassed in the recent European Championship, as well as other centers with more opportunities in the NBA such as

-,

.

For example, in his last opportunity, he gave the Nuggets 12 points, as well as six rebounds.

In 23 minutes.

If his stats were projected for 36 minutes, his numbers would be above 20 and 13 rebounds.

In the little that he plays, he averages 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds.

That makes them a guarantee for the Pelicans in case of need.

And a luxury at the bottom of the bench, but a cheap luxury.

Because Willy, who turns 29 at the end of May, signed a season for 2.4 million dollars (there are 11 players on the team who earn more than him), so a transfer would not bring them much or free up their salary mass .

Bearing in mind, also, that the New Orleans are a

and will be in the playoffs no matter what: although they have accumulated five consecutive defeats, they are the fourth best team in the Western Conference.

«I did not expect this personal situation in which I am at all.

It is not being the start of the season that I would like, but I understand that the team is doing very well, "the Madrid native acknowledged to Efe a few weeks ago.

«I would like to have a bigger role in my team.

But hey, it's a team sport.

It's time to assume my role, I accept it.

And when the coach says my name, I give 100% », he commented this summer in an interview with this newspaper, after a season in which he finally ended up playing 50 games.

Willy Hernangómez, with some fans in a recent game. DAVID MAXWELLEFE

But Willy's discontent also has to do with what he considers to be a lack of respect from the Pelicans.

"I'm a little annoyed by the little recognition," he told MARCA a few days ago, admitting the unusual thing that other franchises had shown more enthusiasm for their MVP than his own team.

As advised by

, who insisted this summer on making Willy the leader of his team, the center only has to be patient.

He's prepared for whatever he might go through, because if he doesn't get out in this winter window, next summer he'll be a free agent and he'll be able to start over in the NBA.

And besides, he awaits his playground.

"The World Cup is what keeps him excited," he says.

Together with the recovered

, his brother

(who has a little more space and minutes in the Raptors),

, among others, he will look for the most difficult yet in the Philippines, to renew the world gold that in 2019 they achieved in Beijing.

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