Evan Fournier turned up the pressure on the New York Knicks for a trade and made a blunt admission on his future with the franchise.
“I would be shot,” Fournier told L’Equipe of the outcome if he stays with the Knicks. “I’m going to be traded, it’s not possible otherwise. Or I’d be stuck, and so would they.” (via New York Post)
He further added:
“I would be very surprised to be a Knick next year. They pay me 18 million, they have no interest in keeping me,” he said.
The French player added that there were times when he questioned his role and his presence in the team.
“You want to spit on everyone. You have hatred. Derrick Rose and I looked at each other and said to each other: ‘What the hell are we doing here?’ During the five-on-five practice, we were on the side like some prospects. Uncool times. And when I realized that wouldn’t change, I took things more slowly. I focused on myself and didn’t let the rest get to me anymore. I did three cardio sessions, two weight training sessions per week, a lot of travel work, [analyzing] game situations with an assistant coach Daniel Brady.”
Fournier also shed light on his relationship with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “I have nothing to say because I have none,” he said. “When he took me out of the five, he just told me he was going to try something else. Then at the first match of a road trip, he announced to me that I was leaving the rotation and ciao.”
It’s worth noting that he is set to make $18.9 million in the final year of his four-year, $73 million contract. But Fournier has made his intent clear to leave the franchise.
“I would be very surprised to be a Knick next year,” he said. “They pay me 18 million, they have no interest in keeping me. Fournier finished this past season with 6.1 points.”
Only time will tell if the Knicks and Fournier can mend their relationship that appears all but fractured.
Evan Fournier On Playing Alongside Victor Wembanyama
When asked by the French publication about the possibility of playing with the San Antonio Spurs alongside Victor Wembanyama, Fournier had an interesting answer.
“I want a spot where I can have fun again, where I can be myself. Would their game be more suited to me? It’s not the Spurs of 2014 anymore but playing for Pop (Gregg Popovich), learning from him, it would be a pleasure and an honor, for sure,” he said. “Afterward, being with Victor, looking at the [upcoming Paris] Olympics, being able to start connecting on the court, that would be great.”
There’s no telling what the future holds for Fournier, but what it does look like is he wants quality playing time which may not be possible in New York anymore.
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