Knicks start, bench, cut: Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo, Evan Fournier
Cut: Evan Fournier
In this instance, cut means trade. Evan Fournier is entering his third season in New York, but unless injuries occur, he won’t be a regular face in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. He played in only 27 regular season games last year and didn’t play a single minute in the playoffs.
Fournier made his desire to be traded crystal clear in an interview with French media outlet L’Equipe, an act that could’ve hurt his trade value. He played for France in the World Cup, but the squad was an early exit, so he couldn’t use the tournament as a “launchpad.”
Given there’s been no reported traction on a Fournier trade, he’ll most likely start the season as a Knick. He’s owed $18.9 million this season and has a $19 million club option next season that New York will decline if he’s surprisingly still on the roster at the end of the year.
Although inconsistent, Fournier can be an additional source of shooting off the bench for a team, but his salary has kept a deal from going through. His future in New York is nonexistent, and if the Knicks trade for a star this season, maybe Fournier’s salary will be thrown into the package.
He wants to be with a team where he can contribute, which won’t happen as long as he stays in New York.