After spending the better part of the last two seasons on the bench in New York, Evan Fournier was traded from the Knicks to the Pistons as a salary-matching piece in the deadline-day deal that sent Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks out of Detroit. Given that Fournier isn’t owed any guaranteed money beyond this season and the Pistons have the NBA’s worst record, he has been viewed as a buyout candidate.
However, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pistons have indicated that they plan to hang onto Fournier, so barring an unexpected development, he won’t reach the buyout market in the coming days or weeks.
Fournier, who appeared in just three games for the Knicks prior to last week’s trade, has logged over 25 minutes per night in his first two games as a Piston, averaging 11.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
Here are a few more notes and rumors on the buyout market from Scotto:
- After averaging about 15 minutes per contest in his first 29 appearances in Washington this season, Delon Wright hasn’t played more than seven minutes in any of the four games since the trade deadline. A number of playoff contenders, including the Suns, are keeping on eye on the situation to see if the Wizards guard – who is on an expiring contact – will be bought out, Scotto writes.
- Veteran sharpshooter Davis Bertans has played double-digit minutes off the bench in each of his first three games with the Hornets and appears unlikely to be let go in the immediate future, per Scotto. Bertans’ $16MM salary for 2024/25 is partially guaranteed for $5.25MM next season, which is one reason why Charlotte may wait until the summer to make any move involving him.
- Thaddeus Young is expected to complete his deal with the Suns after the All-Star break next week, says Scotto, adding that the veteran forward also drew interest from the Sixers, Pelicans, and Celtics before agreeing to sign in Phoenix.
- Although the Suns had interest in Danilo Gallinari, they were out of the mix for the forward after agreeing to sign Young, Scotto notes. Since the Cavaliers couldn’t guarantee Gallinari the kind of role he sought and the Bulls aren’t a legitimate title contender, Gallinari’s decision ultimately came down to the Clippers and Bucks. He chose Milwaukee after debating the two options for a few days, according to Scotto.
Hope Danilo Gallinari, Evan Fournier and also Lamar Stevens, get to play now with other teams and show what they have or still have. Daniel Theis too got a chance to play for the Clippers (& killed us). Gonna watch these guys.
The bulls aren’t title contenders?! Someone better warn the front office!
He signed with the Bucks though. The Bulls have played much better than the Bucks as of late. The Bucks just got beat by the Zaire Williams GG Jackson led Grizzlies
This Pistons franchise is so beyond lost. Why pay Fournier that money when you know you’re trying to lose games?
Buying him out doesn’t mean they don’t have to pay him anymore. Plus they desperately need shooting which is his best attribute as a player.
To have his contract (which doesn’t guarantee until 6/29) as matching salary as an option to facilitate a draft day trade. They might even let it guarantee to keep that contract as an option up to next season’s trade deadline.
It also allows them to stay above the required salary floor.
Being almost two years without playing time (being an established player in the league), and scoring 11.5 points in 25 minutes per Game in your first two games right away, warrants a shoutout to Evan Fournier. That is saying ready. Very very well done, and what an example, a positive example for the Pistons’ kids
Galo chose wrong. Bucks suck, clippers don’t…
Fourniers treatment by the Knicks was criminal he didn’t even get garbage time and notice the Knicks injury issues with Thibs as coach.