Has Evan Fournier Worked His Way Back Into New York Knicks' Rotation?

With Wednesday night's preseason finale serving as a de facto dress rehearsal, Evan Fournier played major minutes for the New York Knicks.

A big-budget production going haywire in rehearsal? Only in New York.

The New York Knicks capped off their preseason with a clunker, playing victim to a Jordan Poole showcase in a 131-106 shellacking at the hands of the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. 

Even with the meaningless nature of the preseason, viewers will foster at least some sense of alarm: six days sit between the Knicks (1-3) and their regular season opener against Boston next Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). With the exception of Immanuel Quickley's absence, the preseason closer was meant to serve as a tease of the regular season rotation.

Which, of course, partly centers on Fournier.

The preseason quartet produced Fournier's most consistent minutes since he was booted from the Knicks' starting lineup last fall. Fournier did what he could to take advantage of those minutes (just under 20 a game), scoring 10.5 points and shooting just under 37 percent from deep in that span. The French sharpshooter played 14 in the loss to Washington. 

Fournier (13) earned some major minutes off the bench this preseason / Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS

Through the process, Fournier earned the admiration and respect of teammates who have enjoyed having his veteran prescience around, praising him for sticking it out in a tough situation. 

Of course, part of it is a personal mission: set to turn 31 later this month, Fournier is reaching his NBA golden years and his three-point ability could help either the Knicks or one of their 29 brothers with their outside shooting. But, as Fournier himself has declared, he's not doing anyone much good if he's a permanent watcher.

For the time being, there's not much to suggest that Fournier will be a permanent fixture in the rotation again when the regular season tips off, especially if head coach Tom Thibodeau resurrects his nine-man preferences. Fournier might've taken advantage of his extra minutes ... minutes afforded to him with Quickley working off some "nicks" ...but that film is better situated on the desks of scouts from abroad rather than those in New York. 

If anything, Fournier might've lost ground in the hunt for minutes if the Knicks decide to explore Miles McBride's lucrative preseason: the third-year man added an outside number to his repertoire and New York might be persuaded to foster his homegrown talents rather than try to resurrect Fournier's career.

The Fournier conundrum isn't going away any time soon and will serve as one of the dramatic subplots to the early stages of the Knicks' season. Time will tell if it ends in Manhattan.