What's Holding Up Knicks' Evan Fournier Trade?

Even after an awkward 2023-24 season, the New York Knicks are looking to do right by an eventual trade for Evan Fournier.

There are few certainties in modern New York Knicks basketball, but the idea that Evan Fournier is on his way out seems universally agreed upon.

Fournier himself said so shortly after the Knicks' elimination over the spring, and it's not hard to see why: the 30-year-old began the year as the Knicks' primary shooting guard but was usurped by second-year man Quentin Grimes relatively early on in the season. He appeared in only 12 games in the calendar new year, mostly in mop-up duty, even though he set the Knicks' single-season record for successful three-pointers.

With that type of workload... or lack thereof ... and a guaranteed $18.8 million due to him next year, trading Fournier seems inevitable. Yet, he remains on the New York roster despite a flurry of moves across the Association with free agency getting underway on Friday evening. 

Steve Popper of Newsday says that, despite last season's awkwardness, the Knicks are trying to do right by the veteran.

"According to a team source, the Knicks are trying to utilize Evan Fournier’s $18.9 million expiring contract to make a trade," Popper writes. "But also are determined to not force Fournier, who was a good soldier throughout last season’s benching, to wither on the bench again in what should be the prime years of his career."

Over the prior six seasons before last year, Fournier sank 1,095 three-pointers between Orlando, Boston, and New York, the 13th-best tally in the league in that span. He could certainly contribute to a team in need of outside shooting. 

The price tag, however, could scare teams off, especially with his lack of recent work. Knicks management might have to open its draft pick cabinet to sweeten such a deal while also trying to put Fournier in a position where he can succeed. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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