Evan Fournier Prioritizing NBA Contract Over Return To Europe

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Tue May 28, 2024 12:46 pm

Veteran wing Evan Fournier is prioritizing staying the NBA for his next contract, as opposed to returning to play in Europe. A rumor came up at the EuroLeague Final Four that Fournier could play for Olympiacos in Greece or ASVEL in his native France next season.

The Detroit Pistons hold a $19 million team option for Fournier for next season. The Pistons are expected to decline that option to create cap space. That will make Fournier an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Fournier is expected to play for France at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He's likely to know his NBA future ahead of the Olympics, which will begin in Paris and the surrounding area in late July.

Fournier has played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, in addition to the Pistons, in his 12-year NBA career. New York traded Fournier to the Detroit at this season's trade deadline.

Via Basket USA

MitchB3 · Post #2 » by **MitchB3** » Tue May 28, 2024 3:59 pm

Fournier can play, it was Coach Thibs that didn't want to play him.

ThemaxFactor · Post #3 » by **ThemaxFactor** » Tue May 28, 2024 4:53 pm

Deja vu: He's likely to know his NBA future ahead of the Olympics. last time it was during the olympics Knicks inked him. Someting about olympics season for Fournier.

His tenure with the Knicks could have been better but he was a true pro about the whole benching situation...Still has some juice to give at the NBA level...great shooter...hope he gets another gig.

Hullajelolt · Post #4 » by **Hullajelolt** » Tue May 28, 2024 6:32 pm

That's cool, the problem is that he did nothing with the Pistons that would warrant a guaranteed contract on any team for next season.

HaydukesRedux · Post #5 » by **HaydukesRedux** » Tue May 28, 2024 7:19 pm

In Thibs defense the Knicks front office could have kept Reggie Bullock for half the cost.

Reggie was the teams best and most versatile defender and statistically, not very overmatched by Fournier of offense. The ugrade on offense wasn't close to being worth the additional $9 mill annually and the deficit on D.

The Knicks opted to let their best defender, and a 3d guy who the players liked go and brought in a great shooter. Reggie was a good shooter and a grinder. Fournier had very few games where he showed himself to be a Thibs type player.

Thibs plays the roster he thinks will win. Rose brought in a finesse guy. What was Thibs supposed to do? Pplay the bigger contract or reward the guys who jump into the seats for loose balls?

MitchB3 wrote:Fournier can play, it was Coach Thibs that didn't want to play him.

HaydukesRedux · Post #6 » by **HaydukesRedux** » Tue May 28, 2024 7:21 pm

His off the chain scoring in the Olympics. I believe contributed to the Knicks office into offering him the big payday.

ThemaxFactor wrote:Deja vu: He's likely to know his NBA future ahead of the Olympics. last time it was during the olympics Knicks inked him. Someting about olympics season for Fournier.

His tenure with the Knicks could have been better but he was a true pro about the whole benching situation...Still has some juice to give at the NBA level...great shooter...hope he gets another gig.