NY Knicks: Should they have traded for Evan Fournier?

NY Knicks: The price for Fournier was cheap

The case for the trade is simple: two second-round picks are an incredibly low price.

In the upcoming draft, the Knicks have two first-rounders and now have a total of two second-rounders after acquiring Philadelphia’s in the Austin Rivers deal. Coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks do not need to draw from a pool of four rookies while assembling their roster for next season. While Burks and Bullock do have overlapping skill sets, Fournier is a better playmaker and can be a high-volume player.

The Knicks depth has been tested this season, and while Derrick Rose’s return is inevitable, they cannot afford another prolonged shorthanded stretch. Fournier would take some pressure off of Julius Randle while Reggie Bullock would shore up the bench, playing alongside Burks and Quickley – a nuisance for opposing second units.

There’s also a case to be made for looking at Fournier as a rental. He would have helped the Knicks this season without the team sacrificing any flexibility or major players or assets. If he wasn’t a fit, they could simply let him walk without having to worry about his contract on the books. On the opposing end, they would control his Bird rights, so he would be more compelled to resign in New York if the two were a match.

When it comes down to it, Evan Fournier is not going to be the one who got away for the Knicks. His presence would have been helpful as the team hits the stretch run and inevitably gets fatigued, but the future of the franchise was not dependent upon acquiring the Frenchman.

Vive la Ntilikina.