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NBA: 10 Players Making The Leap In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 3, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) high fives guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) high fives guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Magic defeated the Pelicans 103-94. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Evan Fournier

The Orlando Magic probably made the right decision to not offer Evan Fournier a contract extension, but ever since that deadline passed, the 23-year-old Frenchman has come to life, averaging 21.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game over the last four contests. The Magic are 3-1 during that stretch and Fournier has put up 30 points and 29 points in two of those games.

On the season, Fournier is averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting an efficient 46.7 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three-point range. Considering he’s upped his field goal attempts to a career high 15.3 per game, those efficient numbers have established him as one of the team’s go-to options on offense under Scott Skiles.

Considering he only averaged 12.0 points per game in 58 appearances for the Magic last season, Fournier has gone from being an afterthought in Orlando’s promising young core to one of its most prominent pieces. If he’s able to carry on at this rate, the Magic may have some interesting decisions to make next summer when he becomes a restricted free agent.

Next: No. 9