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NY Knicks: Would trading Evan Fournier this offseason be a ruthless move?

ByJordanna Clark|
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at Spectrum Center on March 23, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets in the second quarter at Spectrum Center on March 23, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Last Wednesday, Evan Fournier surpassed John Starks (subscription required) and broke the New York Knicks’ single-season record for made 3-pointers. You’d think that’d mean that he’d at least be with the Knicks for the remainder of his current contract, right?

Eh, wrong. The 29-year-old was sent to New York via Boston in a sign-and-trade deal last August, along with two future second-round draft picks.

After being with the Magic since the 2013-14 season, Fournier was traded to Boston last year. In the 16 games that he played in with the Celtics, he averaged 13 points, shooting 44.7% from the field and 46.3% from the 3-point line.

This season, the guard’s started in all 73 games that he’s played in and is averaging 14.2 points. Fournier’s shooting 41.8% from the floor and 39.2% from three. He’s 223-of-569 from the 3-point line this season (39.2%).

The France native setting a new franchise record in a thrilling 121-106 win over the Hornets was one of the high points of New York’s year.

Could the New York Knicks trade Evan Fournier during the offseason?

Truth be told, Fournier hasn’t necessarily been worth the money that he’s making. He signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the Knicks, meaning that he won’t become an unrestricted free agent until after the 2024-25 season. That feels like it’s an eternity away.

Granted, New York could decide to trade Fournier before then, and it could happen as soon as the upcoming offseason. The Knicks’ largest revelation this year has to have been that they shouldn’t build around former All-Star Julius Randle, but should focus on building a team around RJ Barrett instead.

If Tom Thibodeau is still with the team next season, and it’s looking like he will be, the front office should coerce him into playing some of the younger guys (like Obi Toppin and Miles McBride) by trading away a few of the veteran players this summer.

Kemba Walker and New York have already agreed to part ways, but Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel could be following in Walker’s footsteps. If I had to choose, I’d say that Derrick Rose and Fournier are likelier to be on the roster next year than the three aforementioned names.

Hopefully, Leon Rose has something up his sleeve, and while Fournier might be the team’s only true 3-point shooter, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get rid of him if the right deal (or shooter) comes along.

In the Knicks’ last three wins, Fournier’s shot a combined 9-of-30 from three, which is equivalent to a little less than 30%. His field percentage throughout those three contests was 20.3%.

While there’s no doubt that he has value (how else would he have broken the record?), his inconsistency has been an issue for New York.

If the Knicks don’t draft a point guard and try to trade for one instead (cough Donovan Mitchell cough), including Fournier in the trade in the deal should be a no-brainer, but that’s the only scenario in which I envision New York getting rid of him during the offseason.

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