Willy Hernangomez expressed willingness to return to Spain next season / News - Basketnews.com

Willy Hernangomez officially communicated his intentions to return to the Spanish ACB League next season. This move is more of a formality and doesn't necessarily mean that Hernangomez will return to Real Madrid, but it officially opens the possibility of playing in Spain again.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Willy Hernangomez officially expressed his willingness to return to Spain for the 2023-24 season.

Willy Hernangomez

Position:C, PFAge:29Height:209 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Madrid, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

Spanish ACB League released the list of players who officially communicated their intention to return to the competition next season, and Hernangomez is among five players that did so.

As of today, the clubs will have 13 calendar days to submit their offers for the players on the list. In Hernangomez's case, Real Madrid is the club that holds his rights.

The other players on the list are Luke Sikma, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Zoran Nikolic, and Conner Frankamp.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a return to Real Madrid for some time now. However, it is not necessarily mean that Hernangomez will return to Real, but the window for such an option remains open, and it's one, albeit a short step closer.

Hernangomez could potentially be Real Madrid's solution if Edy Tavares successfully negotiates a reduced NBA buyout with Madrid to accept the offer from the Portland Trail Blazers.

According to ACB rules, three steps follow after the player declares his intentions to return to the competition:

The club holding the player's rights does not maintain its qualifying offer, so the player is free to sign for another team. The club holding the rights maintains the qualifying offer. If the player does not receive any offer from another ACB club (which could match the offer), the club must sign a contract with the player. The club holding the rights keeps the qualifying offer but waits to hear the offer from a third club.

The New Orleans Pelicans did not pick up the $2.6 million team option, making Hernangomez a free agent.

Last season, Hernangomez averaged 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists over 38 appearances for the Pelicans.

Hernangomez finished his 7th season in the NBA, averaging 7.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 344 appearances while playing for the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, and the Pelicans.

Hernangomez played for Real Madrid on two occasions during the 2012-13 and 2015-16 seasons.

In the 2015-16 campaign, Hernangomez averaged 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.6 PIR in 14 EuroLeague appearances.

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