Daily Knicks
Fansided

Buy or Sell 4 Knicks trends after 3-4 start to the season

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2022 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2022 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
New York Knicks, Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier, New York Knicks. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

2: Evan Fournier is hurting the Knicks in the starting lineup

After the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson in free agency, the conversation about Evan Fournier no longer being in the starting lineup began to really ramp up. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, members of the organization themselves had concerns about a Brunson-Fournier backcourt. Many viewed Quentin Grimes as the solution to that dilemma, especially after getting to watch him play over the summer.

Fans were disappointed to hear Tom Thibodeau say that Fournier was the frontrunner to start during training camp, but soon after, it was revealed that Grimes was dealing with a left foot injury. That injury kept him out of every preseason game except for the finale, where he re-aggravated his foot. Grimes made his regular season debut in the loss to the Hawks, but he was only on the court for five minutes due to his minutes being “situational.”

Because Grimes missed the first part of the season, he isn’t yet to the point where he can take Fournier’s place in the lineup. However, Immanuel Quickley should. Fournier’s coming off his worst game of the season thus far. He scored three points (1-for-6 from the field, 1-for-4 from three) and added two rebounds, one assist, and two turnovers in 19 minutes on Wednesday. Fournier’s a good shooter, yes, but his shot is so inconsistent. On top of that, he isn’t a good defender.

It’s time for Knicks to take Evan Fournier out of the starting lineup.

For now, New York needs to seriously consider starting Quickley, who finished with 11 points (3-for-7 from the field, 1-for-3 from three), a career-high 16 rebounds, four assists, and two turnovers in 29 minutes. He should’ve taken the floor with the other starting four in the second half, but instead, Thibs left the starting five on the floor to get crushed.

Fournier is hurting the Knicks when he’s on the floor. There’s no reason for him to remain in the starting lineup, and apparently, everyone can see it except for Thibodeau.

Verdict: Buy

Home/Knicks News