The New York Knicks appear to have one of the hottest commodities in their fold as the trade deadline nears. According to Ian Begley of ESPN, Knicks center Willy Hernangomez have been generating interests from other teams around the league who believe that the 23-year-old center is a star in the making.

As the February 8 trade deadline approaches, several teams are interested in Knicks center Willy Hernangomez, per ESPN sources. Hernangomez, 23, has had a limited role this season with New York. He hasn't played in 13 of the Knicks' past 16 games as Enes Kanter and Kyle O'Quinn have filled out the Knicks' rotation at center. The opposing teams who have expressed interest in Hernangomez feel that he has value after his promising rookie season in 2016-17 (8.2 points, 7.0 rebounds per game in 18 minutes).

Begley, however, clarified that there are no legitimate talks as of yet. Nevertheless, the trade deadline is just a few weeks away, and it would not be long before the Knicks start fielding serious trade offers for Hernangomez.

Teams having interest in a player and competing a deal for one are two very different things, of course. But it's not unreasonable to think Hernangomez could be acquired for the right return. New York has four centers on the roster (Kanter, O'Quinn, Hernangomez and Joakim Noah) and opposing teams believe that one of the centers will likely be available via trade as the deadline approaches.

Hernangomez, who is under contract with the Knicks until 2020, has barely played this season, averaging 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in only 9.7 minutes per game. He has appeared in just 17 games, but there is a tremendous upside for the Spaniard big man, who was taken by the Knicks in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft via the Philadelphia 76ers’ pick.