There are 14 New York Knicks players to have taken the court after four games this season, and Evan Fournier is not one of them. The French guard is continuing his ordeal in the NBA, which began a little less than a year ago. Last season, after 13 games, he was removed from the rotation by coach Tom Thibodeau. He was therefore content with crumbs in the regular season (27 matches in total) and was not used in the play-offs.
A situation which did not prevent him from assuming his role as manager and top scorer for the French team at the World Cup this summer (22.8 minutes and 13.8 pts per match), despite being eliminated in the first round. At the same time, Fournier hoped for his transfer away from New York. “If I stayed, it would be a disaster, sportingly, for my career, everything. A year without playing, I can manage. Two… it would be terrible,” the 31-year-old confided to L’Équipe last July.
Less effective in attack and struggling in defense last season, Fournier nevertheless had a good 2021-22 season with the Knicks (14 pts per game and 39% success on 3 pt shots). So far, there are no rumors about a possible transfer. At issue: the big salary of his last contract ($18.8 million). Fournier, like any NBA player, can only be included in an exchange of players with salaries that balance out.
The former Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics fullback signed a lease in New York in the summer of 2021, he who had never hidden his affection for the legendary Madison Square Garden team. His little playing time granted in pre-season fueled the hope of seeing him used again in official matches. In vain. The situation of Evan Fournier necessarily raises questions nine months before the 2024 Olympic Games, where the Blues, finalists in Tokyo in 2021, will be particularly expected. With him ? And if so, in what condition? For the native of Charenton-le-Pont (Val-de-Marne), there is an emergency.
