Ex-New York Knicks Starter Could Be A Free Agent This Summer

Evan Fournier could be a free agent this summer.

Nov 4, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier (13) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Fournier is coming off a season where he played for the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.

After falling out of the rotation in New York for nearly two years, he was traded to the Pistons in February.

The veteran guard finished the year with averages 6.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest while shooting 35.7% from the field and 25.4% from the three-point range in 32 games.

Apr 11, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Evan Fournier (31) dribbles in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

This summer, Fournier could be a free agent that is available to sign with any team in the league.

He has a team option in his contract that would pay him $19 million for the 2024-25 season.

At this point in his career, Fournier is not worth anywhere near that number.

However, it is also possible that the Pistons would choose to keep him around as a valuable mentor for a young locker room, or as a contract that could easily be traded as part of a bigger deal.

Evan Fournier.

All options on the table, including a return to the EuroLeague.

Evan Fournier is in the final year of his contract with Detroit Pistons at $18,857,143.

Team option of 19 million $ for next season, which is unlikely to be exercised.#Transfers #NBA #EuroLeague pic.twitter.com/s20dFrBN3T

— Matteo Andreani (@matty_vanpersie) February 24, 2024

As recently as the 2021-22 season, Fournier started in 80 games for New York with averages of 14.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 41.7% from the field and 38.9% from the three-point range.

If he were to become a free agent, he would make sense for a contender looking to add bench depth.

Jan 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier (13) reacts after making a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

As for the Pistons, they finished the 2023-24 season with a 14-68 record, which had them as the 15th seed in the Eastern Conference (last place).

They last made the NBA playoffs in 2019.