Evan Fournier ‘excited’ to be out of New York
It was clear that former New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier, who signed a four-year, $78 million deal ahead of the 2021-22 season, wanted a change of scenery away from The Big Apple because of his lack of playing time.
His wish was finally granted ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, getting moved to the Detroit Pistons in a five-player swap that brought the Knicks two good creators in Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
Now getting an opportunity in Detroit, who possess the worst record in basketball, Fournier expressed gratitude when he spoke to the media for the first time since the trade on Monday.
“I’m really excited to finally be out of New York,” Fournier said earlier this week. “As soon as I got traded they called me and said they’ve been trying to have me for the last couple of seasons now, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity.
“I don’t know what my role is, but I’m just going to be myself and prepare as if I’m going to play. I have to get to know the guys still, but if I can help them with what I see then I’ll gladly do it.”
Fournier appeared in just 30 games–498 minutes– with the Knicks each of the last two seasons after playing in 80 in 2021-22. The 31-year-old was completely booted out of the rotation due to inconsistency on both ends of the floor in favor of more run for Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose.
Since he’s coming in with cold feet, I’m not sure what to expect at the start of this new journey for Fournier. Though he should ], in theory, have a pretty clear runway for playing time alongside Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Simone Fontecchio. He will likely help spearhead Detroit’s bench unit which doesn’t feature much creation.
“As soon as I got traded, [Pistons general manager Troy Weaver] called me and said I was wanted here,” Fournier said, according to Christian Arnold of the New York Post. “That they tried to have me for the last couple of seasons now. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ll see.”
Fournier, who’s on the books for $18.9 million this season, has a $19 million club option next season that Weaver could exercise (to potentially move) or keep as a possible trade chip ahead of next year’s trade deadline. Either way, on a young team without any expectation, this is an excellent opportunity for Fournier to function as a key veteran and capable role player.
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