Beaten by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks failed to bring Donovan Mitchell during the offseason. The Manhattan franchise wanted to recover the All-Star rear, originally from the state, even if it means separating fromEvan Fournier and a few draft rounds. The Frenchman is therefore still at the “Big Apple” where he is about to start his second season.
But his name should circulate once again among the flood of rumors, as was the case last year and this summer. Already because the Knicks do not give the impression of knowing where they want to go. Between giving way to youth and trying to be competitive – when the workforce seems barely able to play the play-in – we will have to choose.
If the team is struggling at the start of the season, managers may be tempted to bring in a few veterans to reduce the wage bill, bring in younger players or both. And there, the native of Val-de-Marne again risks being on the front line.
This would be – let’s insist on the notion of hypothetical – his fourth franchise in two and a half years. And it inspires us to reflect. On Fournier’s place in the NBA, his status, even the role that would suit him best. Or the ideal destination.
He proved to the Orlando Magic that he could completely assume a place in the major five of a playoff team, well at least around the seventh-eighth place. All while being one of the offensive engines of the formation in question. He could probably do the same in New York.
Evan Fournier looks back on the failure of NBA stars at Eurobasket
Imagining him in a better team sometimes amounts to confining him to the role of a sixth man. The 29-year-old fullback remains primarily a scorer, but most ambitious franchises are armed with players of the same profile who are more prolific, more efficient and/or simply stronger than him. He’s not a bad creator with the ball in hand, far from it, but he’s not an elite playmaker either (3.3 career assists average).
As a result, it can be difficult to associate him with another guard, unless it is a star point guard. And again, it would be taking the risk of aligning a sometimes fragile backcourt in defense (depending on the leader in question of course). Evan Fournier is not bad in this area. He makes the effort. It’s just that at some point, everyone is put before their physiological limits.
A starting role does not seem absurd, even in a team at the top of the table. He is getting better and better at his basketball. He has the experience and the talent while being at his peak physically. Its “premium” what. And it should last a few more years. Given his mentality and his competitive instinct, it would be a shame to see him languish in franchises like Charlotte, Detroit or even… New York.
In summary, we are therefore looking for a squad capable of hanging on the playoffs and going through a round where he would play in the five alongside a leader stronger than him or off the bench with playing time. therefore. Sticking to the Salary Cap, we found two plausible, intriguing and interesting destinations.
Los Angeles Clippers
The transfer : Evan Fournier against Luke Kennard, Amir Coffey and a second round pick.
Kennard’s contract is cheaper than Fournier’s, which expires on the same date (a team option for the 2024-2025 season). Coffey is a 25-year-old player with untapped potential and the Knicks would get their hands on a pick. Possibly New York could recover better elsewhere but… not so sure. Unless the captain of the Blues makes a very big start to the season, but in this case New York may seek to keep him.
He could play as well in the five as off the bench at the Clippers, where he would therefore find Nicolas Batum. With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Angelenos have solid defensemen and two superstars to make the difference on offense. He would then be in charge of bringing binder or stretching the lines with his address from afar. All while creating at times on certain possessions. Batum does this by being primarily in charge of defensive missions. Fournier can be this “glue guy”, but with a more offensive profile… whereas the term is perhaps too often confined to defense.
If ever the staff prefers to make him start as a substitute, he would then play the role of offensive joker as Kennard did. But by being more talented than the latter.
Toronto Raptors
The transfer : Evan Fournier against Chris Boucher, Malachi Flynn, DJ Wilson and a second round pick.
The Raptors love Gary Trent Jr, but the young gunner may not be as strong as fans of the Canadian franchise imagine. If one has to be taken off the bench, it might as well be GTJ. Fournier would mix perfectly with Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam and consort. It wouldn’t go all the way, of course, but it would be a really boring team to face in the playoffs.
