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Knicks Trade Rumors: Realistically available targets to upgrade perimeter

By Maxwell Ogden

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 9: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on January 9, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 9: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on January 9, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 10: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Sterling Brown #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 10: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Sterling Brown #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 25 (10/29/1992)
Experience: Sixth Season
Slash Line: .463/.396/.890
Season Averages: 32.6 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.2 3PM

The Orlando Magic are well on their way to missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. Knowing that to be true, it would be none too surprising for the Magic to be the most aggressive of sellers at the 2018 NBA trade deadline.

If the Magic are in sell-now mode, then it would behoove the New York Knicks to make a move for, perhaps, Orlando’s most attractive asset: Evan Fournier.

Fournier’s primary strength is his three-point shooting, which he’s mastered during his time with the Orlando Magic. That alone should appeal to the Knicks, which rank dead last in the NBA in three-point field goals made per game in 2017-18.

Fournier has also tightened his handle to the point of being able to take his man off the bounce and finish in the lane for an efficient two points.

Per Marc Stein of The New York Times, rival executives expect Orlando to use Fournier’s improved scoring ability as trade bait.

"Rival executives expect Jeff Weltman, Orlando’s new team president, to aggressively hunt for new homes for the likes of Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja, given that Nikola Vucevic’s broken finger is likely to preclude dealing the center."

The issue with trading for Fournier is that, like Jordan Clarkson, he hasn’t displayed much consistency on defense. That could be fixed with the ideal coaching, but if Frank Vogel couldn’t get him to fully commit, it’s fair to question if anyone can.

Nevertheless, Fournier is a 25-year-old sharpshooter with a long-term contract and a proven ability to put up points in a hurry. He could at least be an elite sixth man.

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