Oct 30, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier (13) reacts after a three-point basket in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers
(New York, NY) – Evan Fournier says staying with the New York Knicks next year would “be a disaster basketball-wise for my career,” after the veteran swingman spent most of last season on the bench.
He actually started the Knickerbocker’s first seven games of the year last season, and then took on a backup role, before being removed from head coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation entirely by mid-November.
Now, Fournier is eyeing a trade and not being shy about it.
During an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, Fournier said, “I’m going to be traded, it’s not possible otherwise. Or I’d be stuck, and so would they.”
He was referring to the Knicks’ salary cap situation and roster crunch, adding the team would be facing a large luxury tax payment unless they can move Fournier’s salary.
After signing a four-year, $73 million deal in August of 2021, Fournier is set to earn $18.9 million – the final year of that contract. Fournier also criticized the Knicks’ front office for not trading him prior to last season, given he was among the league’s better three-point shooters two years back.
There’s not much of a statline from the most recent campaign for the Knicks to highlight in potential trade talks.
Fournier’s 6.1 points per game was his lowest dating back to his rookie season in 2012-2013. That was when he was with the Denver Nuggets, who drafted him 20th overall.
