Evan Fournier could eventually become a buyout possibility if the Knicks can’t find somewhere to trade him, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. Fournier played just 27 games last season as coach Tom Thibodeau pulled him from the rotation, and he doesn’t appear to be in the team’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
While Fournier may not have any remaining value to the organization as a player, his contract remains an asset in a potential trade. He will make $18.8MM this season and has the equivalent of an expiring deal with a team option of $19MM for 2024/25.
Fournier was benched because Thibodeau opted for a focus on defense, but he can still help a team as a shooter and play-maker. He set a Knicks record for most three-pointers made in a season during 2021/22.
With his 31st birthday upcoming in October, Fournier is concerned about what another season of inactivity will mean for his career, as he said in a recent interview with the French outlet L’ Equipe. Popper notes that the Knicks haven’t pursued any stars so far this offseason, but Fournier will probably remain on the roster for a while in case an opportunity for a significant deal arises.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks owner James Dolan cast the only vote against the sale of the Hornets, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The transfer of a majority stake in the team to a group led by Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin was approved by a 29-1 margin.
- It’s difficult to envision a quick resolution to the trade request submitted by Sixers guard James Harden, observes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Harden asked for a deal when he picked up his option for next season at the end of June, but little to no progress has been made. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey has reportedly set a high asking price that no teams have been willing to meet. Harden recently removed all references to Philadelphia and the team from his social media pages and wrote “Been comfortable for so long. It’s time to get uncomfortable” on his Instagram account.
- The Celtics are likely exploring other options before deciding whether to re-sign Blake Griffin, Brian Robb of MassLive writes in a mailbag column. Robb points out that president of basketball operations Brad Stevens hasn’t mentioned Griffin in any of his sessions with the media since Boston was knocked out of the playoffs. Robb also expects Romeo Langford to get a training camp opportunity with another team rather than returning to the Celtics.
Best thing for the Knicks is to buy out Fournier. Better than giving up draft picks to get somebody to take him or bringing back a even worse player.
Not at this point. What if they can help facilitate a Dame trade and get back someone that fits the roster better? He’s a negative asset, but if they release him that 18 mil can’t be used to sign someone else either. The Harden/Lillard situation could open things up for other moves as well. I don’t think the 76ers are going to get back what they hope for Harden, so do they do something if and when that trade happens?
Agreed, feel like they should just hold onto him for salary filler in a trade, otherwise they will have to throw in more of their rotation guys into any trade.
Portland doesn’t want him. Knicks would be sending all their draft picks and good young players for him.
Portland is one of the few teams that is looking at a “tank” season. Why wouldn’t they take an expiring contract, hope he gains more value and flip him even for a second rounder? Maybe they then buy him out based on roster composition, but these things happen all the time w. worse players and/or contracts.
Really …… he’s an expiring contract. Every team takes that. Used to match salaries. He’s better than Poole right now …..
We don’t have to attach anything to him. It’s amazing how much ignorance there is over inactivity.
This very writer Says ——
“Evan Fournier could eventually become a buyout possibility if the Knicks can’t find somewhere to trade him, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. “
Then in the next paragraph says —-
“his contract remains an asset in a potential trade. He will make $18.8MM this season and has the equivalent of an expiring deal with a team option of $19MM for 2024/25.
Get a freakin clue ……
He set a Knicks record for most three-pointers made in a season during 2021/22.
You think he forgot how to play. If anything. He’s dying to prove Thibs wrong.
Knicks will use him in a trade …. Plenty of time. We’re not on writers or non fans tine. This is Knicks Time ….
James Dolan seems (is?) so disfunctional
I wonder if Fournier would be willing to accept a buyout
Philly will hardly get anything for Harden. Age, playoff failures and trade me label aren’t wanted by many teams. Teams that would take him already have those players.
Trade Harden and Dame to a foreign league.
Harden could be out of the league at the end of this season if he pulls another soft quitting act. Pouted his way out of Houston to his preferred Destination the Nets. Same thing with going from the Nets to the Sixers. Now he wants to go where? LAC? And when they give him a vet min deal offer next year? Lol. James is a prime example of Grass is Greener.
But in all seriousness, how bad are the strip clubs in Brooklyn and Philly that he wants out so bad.
Yeah my thinking is if this drags out and he doesn’t put in the effort he will end up like John Wall.
@Z A
, how bad are the strip clubs in Brooklyn and Philly that he wants out so bad.
He just needs to go back to dating one of the Butt Sisters
Bertha Butt
Bella Butt
Or Bathsheba Butt
That wuld help calm him down
Langford played for the Spurs didn’t he?
Yes he did. Thought I missed a trade or something.
I will never understand why the Knicks owner James Dolan bought the Knicks instead of the Cavaliers when his family has over 100 years of history on the East Side of Cleveland. His grandfather went to Cleveland Heights High School and founded HBO. Even if all his kids went to private schools. As far as Fournier goes the least he could do is give Cleveland a Sweetheart deal on him for say Rubio, Wade And Okoro. All of whom would do more for the Knicks then they were allowed to do for the Cav’s.
Charles moved to NYC at the age of 26 and made his fortune there. James is a native of the NY metro area.
Seriously? You can’t understand why someone would buy the Knicks over the Cavs?
I get why Steinbrenner bought the Yankees instead of staying in Cleveland. But the Knicks are not the Yankees. If my memory serves me correctly a Dolan currently owns the Guardians. Some of the family is in New York but most of the family still lives in Cleveland.
Blake was great once, but he literally is nothing more than a bench coach at this point. He can’t give you even 5 minutes and I don’t think he played a second in the conf finals. I know the guy is ring chasing and good on him since he’s not the first nor last to do it but I think it’s about time to hang them up. I’m not sure what he brings to a team as a player anymore. Most the attributes left are going to be mentoring/coaching ones.
BG has been a shell of himself for the past 4 years but he very solid last season(when his # was called). Why should he hang them up when he can just make 3m sitting on the bench?
Sure, Celtics rotation was cut way down during the Playoffs but during the season Blake Griffin did a good job for us in very limited minutes. He started a number of games & hit some early threes when a big was out. Boarded well and dove to the floor & gave us energy. Smiled on the bench. Thank you Blake! Go Celtics!
Polluted Poole …… career #s
26.3 mins, 3.4 ast, 2.6 reb, 15.8 pts
FG .421%, 3PT .339%, FT .878%
Peppy Lapew Fournier …….. career #s
28.2 mins, 2.5 ast, 2.7 reb, 14 pts
FG .443%, 3PT .380%, FT .80%
I’ll take Fournier every day. Cause Thibs may not want him. But even he plays better D than Poole ……. and Fournier is not a system guy. He’s done it in Orlando, Boston, NY, and French team.
So let’s stop acting like he can’t play anymore. Stop the nonsense. And get some real Sense. Stop disrespecting yourself.