Veteran Knicks shooting guard Evan Fournier started the team’s first seven games last fall, but was demoted to riding pine down the season’s home stretch and through the playoffs. He was out of New York’s rotation by November.
After the Knicks were officially eliminated from the postseason on Friday night against the Heat, Fournier admitted that he doesn’t expect to be brought back next year, despite his guaranteed contract, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.
“This officially is the end, but my season was over a long time ago,” Fournier said. “It took me a good month to understand that. At first, I was like, ‘Just be patient in seeing how the team developed. Obviously, there are gonna be changes and I’m gonna get traded.'”
Fournier was considered a candidate to be moved at February’s trade deadline but ultimately stayed put, since the Knicks didn’t want to give up an asset to move off his multiyear deal.
“You know I’m not gonna be back,” Fournier continued. “There’s no way they’re gonna keep me. I would be very surprised if they do. So, we’ll see. It’s obviously not in my hands though.
“I mean, wouldn’t you guys be surprised [if I came back?],” he added. “Eleven years in, big contract, they’re obviously trying to develop the young guys. I didn’t play this year, so why would you bring me back?”
Fournier is currently owed $18.9MM for 2023/24. The Knicks have a $19MM team option on the swingman for the 2024/25 season that almost certainly won’t be exercised, effectively making him an expiring contract next year. His salary, along with other assets, could be included for matching purposes as part of a trade package for a star player.
In 80 games as a starter in 2021/22, Fournier averaged averaged 14.1 PPG on .417/.389/.708 shooting splits. Across just 27 games this season, he averaged a more pedestrian 6.1 PPG while shooting .337/.307/.857 from the floor.
No sympathy for a guy who’s biggest complaint is not playing while making nearly $20 million a year for not playing.
Did anyone even know he was still on the team?
Nope!
Tankers are licking their lips right now
I like idea of Lauri for Fourn for Nyk with the draft capital behind
I know it’s anti Thibs but man Id like to see a stretch 4 there w Mitch playing a little 5 every now and then. Sometimes a playoff series dictates going different directions, be nice to have that in the tool box
Lol an all star for Fournier? I bet you think the tooth fairy is real, too.
“With the draft capital behind “
Danny gives wholesale prices too if ya pay in cash
DangerBone- Reading comprehension is important. The draft capital Cap suggested would obviously be the key to making this work here.
So your saying danny ainge is going to trade lauri markanian for evan fournier and draft picks your saying danny ainge would do that
I wanted to sign Fournier before he became a FA. Was happy we did. Unfortunately Thibs never really wanted him. Imo he never gave him a chance or even tried to use him right. He could just been like Duncan was with Heat. If your shot is falling you play. Thibs could have helped him to play better D. But didn’t seem interested. Also this offense is not built for Fournier. He just stood around waiting for a pass. He needs motion. He’s a good shooter and can play both wing spots.
Also he didn’t try and get better here. Seemed he went against Thibs. And that was never going to work.
He was a 20 point scorer. Plenty of teams would pay just for that. You will read about him having a solid yr again. Trust me. Definitely can be traded with an expiring contract.
I’m really intrigued about Ayton. And Suns need for depth. Fournier is instant offense for them off bench. Can even start. Would like to explore that.
Fournier, Randle, Mitch, Quickley can all be traded imo.
DeRozan and Ayton two players I would be looking hard at.
Stop with the delusional B.S. about Ayton the guys we really should be looking at is Zach Levine or Karl Anthony Towns two guys who are young and cam flat out score unlike these overated and over valued guys like RJ,Grimes,Mitch,IQ,Obi,and Randle. Thibs needs to go with his stubborn enept dump the Ball to Brunson and Randle while Everyone stands around offense which is uglier than a nerds prom datm Stop talking about stop gap players and get some real NBA talent. Wiseman has been injury prone and he hasn’t done jack in this league. Zach Levine is a flat out walking bucket and him and Brunson would be a lethal back court or even swing the fences on Damian Lillard.
Ayton isn’t any less delusional than KAT. Not by a long shot.
Ayton will be traded, KAT not.
Bulls may trade Demar but reinsdorf will not play a Lavine trade at any cost, wish people could grasp that after years of suggesting it, Reinsdorf wants seats filled, he don’t care about nothing else
If you actually knew ball. I would consider a response. You wouldn’t know a bucket if you had to wizz in one.
Bulls are not moving Zach. And Dillard are for noise makers like Steven A. So try and get an original thought clown
“He could just been like Duncan was with Heat”
Another famously overpaid and underachieving player? What a goal to shoot for.
He’s got a uniform. And we needed shooting. You go to war then you use what you got. It’s about the team and doing all you can to help them have success. Spoelstra found a way. And he hit big shots against us.
Nobody is trading anything for him
Fournier-Bullock decision (I view it as a single decision) was the worst decision of this FO’s tenure. But they shouldn’t trade Fournier so they don’t have to be reminded of it every time they look at him on the bench. I assume he’ll be used as a matching contract in a deal, as needed. He’s expiring, and the summer of 2024 is the last potential cap space year for the NYK for a while, so maybe he stays until the deadline.
If it’s true about Suns wanting to move Ayton. He’s worth looking into imo. 24 yrs old and still has upside. NY hopefully can motivate him. Mitch, Fournier, Grimes can fill their need for depth. Plus we can throw in pick or two.
I think you’re greatly overvaluing Ayton as an asset. Talented player, but Mitch is probably the better player right now. Even if he isn’t, he’s certainly the better asset. Mitch’s team friendly contract (16-13 mm per year) is a big asset, whereas there’s a reason PHX wants to move Ayton’s ill advised max deal (37-44 mm per year).
Ayton is not a flyer with that contract. He makes more than Brunson and Mitch combined. We go into the tax (that we’d be saving them from), so he HAS TO become a perennial all star or its a bust. I love Thibs, but I don’t trust any coach (or city) to motivate a seemingly unmotivated guy.
Ayton – 32 mill
Mitch – 16 mill
Brunson – 27 mill
Hoopshype.com
How is it over evaluating when Fournier a guy we don’t play is included. His shot would be a Wellcome there. There’s a reason he was #1 pick. But I definitely would look into his head now.
Fournier (18.9 mm) is just for 1 year. FWIW, Mitch and Brunson have declining salary contracts, whereas Ayton as the typical escalating salary structure. Mitch’s salary over the next 3 years averages about 14 mm. Ayton about 34 mm for the same period. Brunson is under 25 mm.
Yes, there’s many reasons he was the #1 pick, as there are many reasons he hasn’t become a star. Which of those reasons should be acted on is a matter of opinion. Let’s see what teams offer for him.
Yeah and that’s still 40 mill. Since when do we care about money in NY. We can go over cap and not lose sleep. You do know we can sign our own FA. Only thing that is declining is the Knicks offense. And I said look into. You might want to look at what small words mean. I see Ayton if right as a great Center. And now is the time to look at him …
considering his value would be low. Mitch is an underachiever . Who will never find his offense. And plays D when he feels like it. Bam totally abused him. Yes I would certainly look at Ayton because he’s available. But also cause I know I can fix him. Therefore Knick management should be able to.
2022-23 ….. Ayton (24), Mitch (25)
Mitch – 27 mins, 7.4 pts, 9.4 reb, 0.9 ast
FG 67.1%, FT 47.4%
Ayton – 30.4 mins, 18 pts, 10 reb, 1.7 ast
FG 58.9%, FT 76%
Yes Jokic abused him too. But Mitch can play three lifetimes. And will never put up those numbers. Knicks don’t even give him the ball on pick n slides to the basket lol. Against Heat he had at least 3 Dunks or layups and they didn’t even look at him. That will never happen even with this Ayton. The Ayton I see and would trade for. Is a better version than this yrs Ayton. Please lol
I don’t deal or evaluate talent on many reasons or what others think. And I mean ALL others. I deal with my knowledge of the gm. And my talent vision. I only got what I think and see. And I’ll ride that against anyone. Including NBA personnel. So don’t talk about reasons. I only got one MINE. You obviously need the reasons of others. I know a Center who scores 20 a night. Is just the guy Jalen needs. And we need. And that would make Jalen even better. And makes us more elite.
Like I’ve been saying all yr…….
Randle, Quickley, Fournier, Mitch all should be shopped. What exactly do we need them for. All are expendable, sacrificable, and disposable ………
And that’s 87 mill there.
Except, you were the one who appealed to the reasons of others when you said there’s a reason he was #1 pick. You didn’t make the selection.
I would have taken him #1. Looking back today. I still take him #1. DXC you may not like him. Or you may not think he’s worth it.
I like him and do think he’s worth looking into. Especially if he is being shopped. Knicks have to upgrade for next yr. And just talking talent, fit, upside. He’s a huge improvement over Mitch. I do wonder why Jokic abused him. But I see one of best 2way bigs in the league in Ayton.
Al: I don’t dislike him as a player. I’m not as bullish as you are on him generally and, more significantly, on his fit with the Knicks. But that doesn’t bother me and shouldn’t bother you.
I express no opinion on your “eye” for talent. But a player’s “value” is about what other teams will give up, not anyone’s talent evaluation. Would you pay 1 mm for a house that the market values at 250K because your eye for real estate tells you it can be worth 2 mm one day? I don’t think so, and, in any event, you shouldn’t.
“Talented player, but Mitch is probably the better player right now.”
I like Mitch, but he is horrible on offense. Unless he is catching a lob or putting back a rebound, he is useless most of the time. In the Heat series, he was an instant turnover if he had to put the ball on the floor and can’t shoot a free throw to save his life. People act like Ayton is horrible. He puts up an efficient 18 and 10. Does his talent match his contract? No. But he’s a good player.
RCT- With Silver shrinking the cap (and exceptions) for future years overpaid players are going to be that much more burdensome (especially 30+ mill guys)
I hate paying non star C’s in todays NBA to be perfectly forward. . Nurks contract made me want to throw up last summer
No way Id wanna justify 35 mill on Ayton, especially when your betting on the come
NYK is really in the drivers seat this offseason as far as draft capital, matching abilities, and pre RFA send outs at their hands. With it being a buyers market the last couple cycles I really don’t see a need to make a trade that involves a ton of risk. I think they’ll trade (def Forns sal) to improve but I see the trade falling in their laps more with some patience as they should be drivers in the market (one that doesnt have many major players (w assets) anymore)
I’ll just shout my Lauri idea again here ha
@C&C –
Essentially that’s the main point I was trying to make. I think it’s a risky road right now for a team to enter tax (apron) territory without a relatively complete roster they’re comfortable they can contend with. But, yes, it’s about to go from risky to foolhardy, and that’s by (Silver’s/small market owner) design. It’s not just Ayton obviously. Any underperforming max guy with 3 years left, particularly at a position with no pricing power.
Lauri would be a good fit with the Knicks (with Mitch not Ayton). But as long as Randle is here, it’s hard to see the Knicks pursuing him. I can’t value
Lauri as a true star though (its one year, and really more the first half of it). I suspect will set a superstar price, understandably since he’s a guy they truly don’t have to trade.
I ve always kind of been on fence with Mitch. I seen him become a force on D with help of Thibs. But it never has been consistent, never. Heat took him outside and they abused him. Plus what really bothered me. Elimination gm he’s setting picks and sliding down. And players don’t even look for him. Atleast 3-4 dunks or layups they passed on. Cause imo they don’t Trust. He fumbled 2 passes on the block. That’s 10 pts. We were down 2 with a min to go. I’ve seen enough.
RCT:
His prinicipal value is on defense, but his offensive rebounding has been a big part of our offense. His offensive game is what you say, and Ayton has real skill. But Ayton would not replace Mitch on the offensive boards, he’s average at best there. So, is an offensive (scoring) upgrade worth it? For this to be a discussion, Ayton would have to be used as an offensive option (top 2-3). Do you think that’s possible with Randle? He along with Brunson and Barrett? Our entire shot distribution needs to be rethought as it is. But we need perimeter talent to do it. I’d rather use our resources there. Fix what’s broke first.
Should have played in this series. I get he was sick at the end of it, but he should have played in this matchup against a team he historically has been a killer against
If Pistons land the top pick. Then they will move one or two of their bigs. Plenty would look at Wiseman. Since he’s probably first to be moved. I’d definitely go after Wiseman. And move Mitch to another team.
I rather have Mitch than wiseman . Mitch is better defender and rebounder and can switch on defense . Wiseman needs to be a focal point in offense and will not mesh well with Randal, RJ
As a Magic fan who was frustrated by him for many years, I laughed so hard at the Knicks when they gave him that contract.
Brown or OG… if they have the capital to get both, why wouldn’t you?
Fournier with an expiring contract. Is easy to move. Even if we have to give up a pick. We got those also. Imo he can help plenty teams. And he will. He killed the US national team when he played for France. So please stop talking like he’s washed. He’s 30 yrs old.
He has put up 20 a gm …..
He has shot 85% FT
He has shot 46% FG
He has shot 40% from 3PT
Been there Done that ……
No Freakin Knick has done that …… he needs a new address is all. He’s at worst a rotation player. And right now he’s better than Poole. Yet we got no issue with that.