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3 Players the Knicks could realistically pursue in an Evan Fournier trade

By Mark Nilon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2023 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 09, 2023 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – New York Knicks
Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

1. Maxi Kleber

Though McDermott could, in theory, be used in a similar fashion as Toppin when taking into account his sound size and his shooting stroke, his more natural position is undoubtedly small forward.

Such an experiment could wind up being beneficial, but, should New York truly wish to prioritize finding a replacement for their now departed former lottery pick, perhaps a better option would be Dallas big, Maxi Kleber.

After having signed a new contract extension last offseason worth $33 million over a three-year period, the 31-year-old went on to post one of the more underwhelming campaigns of his career, as he averaged a mere 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game, just shy of a block on 45.6 percent shooting from the field and 34.8 percent shooting from deep.

Considering the Mavericks are heading into a truly polarizing, succeed-or-bust season (i.e. anything short of a conference semifinals berth could be perceived as a major disappointment) along with the fact that they should be looking to surround stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with trusty shooters to support their attack-the-rim mentality, a guy like Fournier could actually be an interesting option for them to bring aboard. An exchange for the aforementioned Kleber could very well be an option worth thinking about for both clubs.

For the Knicks, as touched upon already, such a swap would provide the rotation with a new backup power forward behind Julius Randle who possesses more size (6-foot-10, 240 pounds) and a higher upside as a catch-and-shoot weapon than Toppin did and shoots a career 35.8 percent from beyond the arc

As for the Mavericks, considering the impressive depth already found at their power forward position with Derrick Jones Jr., Markieff Morris, and recently signed Grant Williams, they could easily afford to part ways with one of their existing assets (in this situation, Kleber) to help diversify their talent pool.

Fournier, a natural wing who can slot into either the three or four positions, could be a low-risk, high-reward option that could help them do exactly that, all while providing them an incredibly efficient shooter to toss into a scheme that ranked third three-point attempts last year.

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