Kevin Durant in Phoenix, the Lakers upside down, Kyrie Irving in Dallas… Things were moving all over the place before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
In New York too, with the arrival of Josh Hart in exchange for Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, Cam Reddish and a protected first round in the next Draft.
And Evan Fournier in all this?
Nothing, nada.
The 30-year-old tricolor international rear remains at the dock.
“
When you can finally unpack
,” he breathes on social networks, after several weeks of uncertainty, suggesting some relief.
In fact, it's mostly the reflection of a player in his 11th NBA season and who knows the business by heart.
Because clearly, in terms of playing time, this is not good news for him…
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Since the start of the season, Tom Thibodeau, the coach of the New York franchise, has given him only limited confidence.
22 games (out of 56) including seven starts, for 18.7 minutes and 7.1 points per game, the lowest figures since his rookie year with Denver (2012-13).
With a substantial contract ($ 18 million this season and $ 19 the next two, team option for 2024-25), his departure was necessarily in the cards, Fournier knew it well.
"
I'm going to take my nap, and if I'm (transferred) when I wake up, that's how it is
," he smiled, referring to the deadline on Sunday, after scoring 17 points in NYC's victory over Philadelphia (108 -97).
A match in which RJ Barrett's last minute package allowed him to play.
"
I learned it during the hymns.
In the locker room, while I was changing, RJ came back and he wasn't feeling well, so I knew
," he said after the match.
Professional
So goes the life of Fournier, innkeeper in Orlando and with the Blues, precious last season in New York and who was also happy to join the Big Apple club in 2021. Even if he is in his best years and that he obviously has the level to play regularly, with the Knicks or elsewhere.
The NBA, its ruthless universe.
“
I love Evan's behavior.
He has a great attitude, great approach, very professional.
I see the work he does every day, he remains ready and when he is called upon, he plays well
, ”noted coach Thibodeau, after the match of “Philly”.
Evan Fournier, however, does not expect a drastic change in his situation.
He confided in it last Sunday, after his good outing against the 76ers.
“
No I don't think so.
I think the coach is fixed on his rotation.
It was like a cool one-night stand,
he mused
.
We'll see for the rest of the season, there's always a guy who gets injured, so I'm sure I'll get another chance to play.
".
In the event of a trade, the Parisian would have had more opportunities to stretch their legs.
Finally, he will have to grit his teeth, and wait for the start of the French team's summer gathering and the World Cup in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines (August 25-September 10, 2023) to rediscover the pleasure of playing, d to have responsibilities, to be important.
According to various sources, New York has however discussed a lot with Chicago about a trade that would have attracted Zach LaVine to Madison Square Garden.
Fournier was in history.
In the end, the transaction did not go through.
I would like to stay, but I would like to play...
Evan Fournier, two weeks ago
The end of the season therefore does not look very encouraging for Evan Fournier, except for a reversal of the situation, except for injury, except for disaster for the rest of the workforce.
Besides, the arrival of Josh Hart shouldn't help his little business... Fortunately, there is still the pleasure of playing in New York.
“
In the best case, I want to stay here, I want to play here
, said the short-lived Boston player two weeks ago
.
I had a lot of different choices when I was free and wanted to be a Knick.
I love New York.
I wanted to play for (Thibodeau).
So I would like to stay.
But I would like to play.
For Fournier, it will not be cheese and dessert.
This will also be the case for ex-MVP Derrick Rose and Obi Toppin, his companions in misfortune.
