I feel obligated to start any Evan Fournier-related article by saying that I’ve wanted the guy on the New York Knicks since he was a restricted free agent in 2016. I’ve been high on Evan Fournier’s fit in New York for a long time. Until recently, I’ve been alone on Fournier Island.
Fournier has justifiably become a popular name on Knicks Twitter. More importantly, there’s new evidence the team is interested in Fournier. SNY’s Ian Begley reported New York and Orlando had a conversation about a trade involving Fournier.
It makes sense for New York to be showing interest in Fournier. He is on track to set a new career-high in points (19.6 ppg) for the second straight season while maintaining an impressive shooting slash of .454/.383/.798. But as with any trade, it all depends on the price.
The Magic are at the center of the trade deadline landscape, with many reports about the availability of veterans Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, and Fournier. Gordon has reportedly requested a trade (Athletic paywall), so he should be on the move soon.
Fournier is on an expiring contract, but the Magic front office is weird. This injury-ravaged team isn’t as bad as their record, so it’s unlikely they’re going to trade Fournier to make sure they get something for him. New York will have to give up something to get Fournier.
The New York Knicks have to decide on the upcoming NBA trade deadline. Here are three reasons they should trade for Evan Fournier.
As Knicks fans, there’s nothing we talk about more than getting Julius Randle and RJ Barrett the right help. We’ve been talking about SPACING THE FLOOR since the dawn of time. Fournier would add a wrinkle to this team that the franchise has missed for a long time.
Fournier has only played 25 games this season due to injury, but he is averaging 19.6 points, 3.7 assists, and a staggering 2.7 3-pointers made per game. But last season gives a bigger sample size. He played 66 games of the Magic’s regular season 73 games.
Fournier averaged 18.5 points and 3.2 assists. The last non-Carmelo Anthony Knick to reach those numbers was David Lee in his infamous All-Star season of 2009-10. Reigning All-Star Julius Randle is currently on track to easily do it.
Fournier ranked 18th in the NBA last season with 173 made 3-pointers. For context, the last Knick to make at least 173 triples in a season was J.R. Smith in 2013-14. If Fournier were on the current Knicks, he’d be second on the team in scoring and first in 3-pointers made per game.
Fournier was miscast during his run in Orlando. Despite his recent success as a starting shooting guard, I think Fournier would be even better in a sixth-man role. But Terrence Ross has that role locked down in Orlando.
Orlando’s incredible amount of point guard injuries pushed Fournier into even more on-the-ball playmaking than usual this season. In New York, Fournier can be free to play that bench scorer role to his full potential.
Fournier’s off-ball skill set makes him a great fit with Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Randle and Barrett need guys they can depend on to hit shots when they drive and kick the ball out to them.
Fournier moves well and often without the ball in his hands. Last season, Fournier ranked in the top 10 in total possessions for play types in handoffs (76th percentile) and off screens (70th percentile), per Synergy Sports. He is an elite cutter — but he’s not used in that role enough. He currently ranks in the 98th percentile as a cutter, per Synergy, but on only 39 possessions.
This might be my favorite Fournier bucket. He has a mismatch with Duncan Robinson on him and goes backdoor. Vooch makes a great pass for the easy layup. It’s the kind of pass that Julius Randle could make in his sleep.
How many times have we seen Barrett or Randle drive and kick the ball out to a shooter and watch them miss? Then we’ll see RJ ignore the shooter completely. If Fournier comes in and starts making shots — as he does here — the Knicks shouldn’t have that issue.
As I said, I’m biased when it comes to Evan Fournier. I wrote about the guy back in 2016 for another site. I wrote about him again for this site last November. So I have to admit that it’s not all good things with Fournier. A tendency for bad shot-taking and some brutal playoff performances has Magic fans ready for a new start at shooting guard.
I realize it’s a long shot that the Knicks will trade for the guy anyway, and the Celtics are reportedly interested, but that doesn’t mean the Knicks should bow out. Fournier would be a great fit on this team. A potential crunch-time lineup of Immanuel Quickley, Fournier, Barrett, Randle, and Robinson is very appealing.