Knicks guard Evan Fournier is anticipating an offseason trade: ‘There’s no way they’re going to keep me’
MIAMI — Evan Fournier would be shocked if he’s a Knick next season and sounds eager for a change after getting buried on Tom Thibodeau’s bench.
“You know I’m not gonna be back,” Fournier said. “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.”
The veteran guard, who has one year remaining on his contract, was pulled from the rotation in November and only re-emerged because of injuries or meaningless end-of-season contests.
“I mean, wouldn’t you guys be surprised [if i came back?],” Fournier 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 enjoyed living in New York City with his young family, commuted to Madison Square Garden on a scooter and was lauded for his professionalism despite the DNP status.
Still, the lack of opportunity was clearly gnawing at the Frenchman, who started never averaged less than 28 minutes per game in the previous eight seasons.
“My season has been over for a very long time, actually,” Fournier said after the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in Friday’s Game 6. “This officially is the end, but my season was over a long time ago. 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.
“At first, it’s frustrating because you love the game so much. You’re home. You’re upset. Etcetera, etcetera. And I’ve got two kids at home. I don’t wanna live like this. So, I was just trying to focus on the work, focus on not wasting my time. Get my legs straight and work on my skills. Basically, not waste myself, so that was my whole mentality.”
Fournier’s $18.9 million expiring deal makes him a valuable trade chip if the Knicks go big game hunting in the trade market (he has a $19 million team option for 2024-25 that likely won’t be picked up). They’ve been hoarding assets for a superstar, although it’s unclear who, if anybody worthwhile, will jar loose.
Portland’s Dame Lillard, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, Washington’s Bradley Beal and Atlanta’s Trae Young have been tossed around the rumor mill.
Two big fish — Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic — are at least another year away from the possibility of being traded.
Fournier, 30, was signed by Leon Rose in 2021 to boost the offense and carry the Knicks to the next level of contention. Instead, the team plummeted from the fourth seed to the draft lottery in 2021-22 with Fournier as the starter.
He remained a sharpshooter while setting the franchise’s single-season record for 3s, but the defense and lack of chemistry with Julius Randle prompted Thibodeau to search for a replacement.
Quentin Grimes and Josh Hart — two defensive specialists — ate up Fournier’s minutes last season.
Fournier appeared in just 14 games after being removed from the rotation in November. Despite his DNP status, New York’s shooting struggles in the Miami series prompted speculation that Thibodeau might give Fournier a chance.
He didn’t.
“In the playoffs, it’s even harder, because of the intensity and you wanna help and you see the crowd,” Fournier said. “But, you know, I knew it wasn’t gonna happen, so try to stay positive with the guys, try to help, talk to a few of the players that don’t have the experience.”
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