SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz plan to waive forward Jauncho Hernangomez before the final year of his contract becomes guaranteed according to reports from The Athletic.

The third and final year of Hernangomez’s three-year, $21 million was set to become guaranteed on Thursday if the Jazz didn’t waive before free agency opened.

By waiving Hernangomez, the Spanish forward becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any of the 30 NBA teams, including the Jazz.

Utah is waiving forward Juancho Hernangomez, sources tell me and @Tjonesonthenba.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Hernangomez has been traded three times in the last 12 months, first from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics, then from Boston to the San Antonio Spurs, before being sent to Utah in a three-team trade that included sending the Jazz Joe Ingles to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Originally an afterthought in the trade, Hernangomez quickly earned the trust of former head coach Quin Snyder due to his length and energy and displaced veteran Rudy Gay in the team’s playoff rotation.

The versatile forward averaged 6.2 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 44 percent from the free-throw line in 17 appearances with the Jazz last season.

Earlier Thursday the Jazz reportedly agreed to send forward Royce O’Neale to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a 2023 first round draft pick.

The @utahjazz are sending Royce O'Neale to the Brooklyn Nets for a 2023 first round pick per multiple reports. #TakeNote https://t.co/QNAbI4BJg7

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 30, 2022

Having averaged more than 30 minutes per game for the Jazz over each of the last two seasons, O’Neale’s absence leaves a glaring hole at the forward position for the Jazz which could increase Hernangomez’s value on the roster.

The Jazz also saw increased minutes from Danuel House Jr. who proved to be a viable two-way player for the team after he was signed amid a COVID-19 outbreak in January.

In addition to O’Neale, the Jazz also appeared to say goodbye to little-used forward Eric Paschall on Thursday as the team opted not to extend an offer that would have made the high-energy reserve a restricted free agent.

With O’Neale and Paschall’s exits and the future of Hernangomez in doubt, the Jazz could face a dramatically restructured front court next season.

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