Evan Fournier addresses Knicks trade rumors after drama-filled offseason

New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier spent part of his offseason competing for France at FIBA EuroBasket 2022. As he and Rudy Gobert helped to guide France to a second-place finish, Fournier’s name was popping up in trade rumors. With trade talks for Donovan Mitchell stretching across two months of the summer, it was believed that Fournier would be leaving New York.

Now, Mitchell’s on the Cleveland Cavaliers, and even if he would’ve been traded to the Knicks, Danny Ainge likely wouldn’t have wanted Fournier in a deal. In fact, Utah reportedly turned down an offer that included Fournier, Obi Toppin, and two unprotected first-round picks. The 29-year-old isn’t set to be an unrestricted free agent until 2025, and he has a $19 million club option in 2024-25.

Although the Mitchell trade talks are a thing of the past, many Knicks fans are still hoping to see Fournier get traded. Or, at the very least, see him be replaced by Quentin Grimes in the starting lineup.

After New York’s first training camp practice, Fournier spoke to the media and addressed the trade rumors that were whirling around his name this summer.

Evan Fournier reveals that Knicks trade rumors didn’t bother him during offseason

Fournier’s fit on the Knicks is questionable, but he always gives thoughtful responses to questions. As he mentioned, he’s going into his 11th season in the league so he’s aware of how things go. However, it still must be difficult to deal with that even as a seasoned veteran, and when Fournier was asked what it was like to go through that, he said:

"“I think maybe earlier in my career that would’ve bugged me a little bit, or something like that, but now in year 11, it is what it is. You can’t control any of that. Like I said, I was focused on EuroBasket anyway.”"

At the end of the day, the NBA is a business, and Fournier’s aware of that. He’s in the midst of his second training camp with the Knicks, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll remain on the team for the entirety of the 2022-23 season. Fournier’s a source of shooting for New York, but unless he does a complete 180 on the defensive end, his role shouldn’t be guaranteed. The front office seems to know that, which is why his name was wrapped up in rumors.

Fans have been begging for New York to embrace the youth on its roster, and if Thibodeau does end up continually opting to start Fournier over Grimes, his job should be called into question. And with Fournier being a true professional, he should understand that.

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