Winners and losers from New York Knicks preseason

Loser: Evan Fournier

Did Evan Fournier catch the eye of a team in need of a three-point shooter with his preseason play? If he did, the Knicks could still be reluctant to trade him because the hope seems to be that his $18.9 million salary can be included in a package for a star.

During training camp, he said he knows he could help the Knicks if given the chance and that he’ll make it hard for Tom Thibodeau to ignore him. Fournier shot 3-of-7 from three for 11 points in New York’s preseason opener, 3-of-6 for 15 points against Minnesota, 1-of-4 from three for 10 points in the loss to Boston, and 2-of-5 for six points versus Washington.

When Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves visited the Garden last Saturday, Fournier’s fellow Frenchman advocated for him.

Unfortunately for them, Fournier and Gobert’s pleas were brushed aside. Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and as the head coach noted at Media Day, New York performed better when Fournier wasn’t on the floor in 2022-23.

At least Fournier proved that he still has it, and hopefully, it boosted his morale, as unless an injury happens, he’ll likely remain outside of the rotation.

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