3 reasons a trade for Evan Fournier is perfect for the NY Knicks

NY Knicks: Evan Fournier can take the offense to another level

The Knicks have had some long stretches of basketball this season where their offense can be difficult to watch. Those stretches can be for 5 minutes, sometimes they’re for an entire half, and sometimes they last over the course of multiple games. The team’s defense is one of the most consistent in the league, but the offense is often their downfall.

Fournier fits the NY Knicks and their needs in so many ways. He would slide right into Bullock’s starting role. Bullock has been serviceable, but his game just doesn’t have the impact that Fournier’s does. Bullock can hit open shots, but he can’t create on his own or for his teammates – The ball frequently dies in his hands.

The Knicks depth at wing isn’t strong. Imagine the lineup combinations Thibodeau could use with Fournier: Mixing and matching with the different guards, Randle, and Barrett. The Knicks would have a variety of different points-of-attack on offense. They’d have players at every level who can play-make, shoot, and attack the rim.

We’ve seen some injuries begin to pile up, and Fournier’s ability to step into a big role would be invaluable. When someone like Rose or Barrett misses a game, the Knicks would now have another player who can help run the offense.

Even more specifically to Thibodeau’s system with the NY Knicks – Fournier’s game is suited for the half-court offense. The Knicks are a slow-paced team, and it plays to Fournier’s strengths. Using stats from Cleaning The Glass again, Fournier ranks in the 94th percentile in mid-range field goal percentage for wings.

The mid-range, while it has a bad reputation nowadays, plays a big part in the Knicks’ half-court offense. Randle, Barrett, Rose, and Quickley all utilize the in-between game, and Fournier would fit right in alongside them.

Fournier’s last two seasons have been his best in the NBA. At 28 years old, he certainly has some prime years left. His player profile and style of basketball also seem sustainable to maintain at a high level.

Would Fournier just be a 1-year rental? Maybe. It’s definitely a risk to trade for someone on an expiring contract. With that said, I think Fournier is a perfect player for the Knicks to go after. His ideal fit on the wing and the high-caliber offense could take this team to even greater heights this season, and the Knicks wouldn’t have to give up a tremendous chunk of assets to acquire him.