Evan Fournier’s trade gets more complicated as he strikes out on the Knicks

It is natural for Evan Fournier to be worried. Leon Rose are by nature patient.

No one is wrong. However, soon enough, the Knicks would have to move the unhappy French shooter.

In a recent interview with French outlet L’Equipe, the 30-year-old Fournier criticized the way the Knicks handled him last season.

Fournier, on an expired contract of $18.9 million, has been the subject of trade rumors. But as August draws to a close, he remains a Nick after spending almost all of last season as an expensive cheerleader.

Fournier began the season as the starter, but was demoted to the bench in mid-November and never really returned to the rotation.

He only appeared in 27 games, and did not play another in the postseason.

“When he took me out [starting] Five, he just told me he’s going to try something else,” Fournier said, referring to coach Tom Thibodeau. “Then in the first game of a road trip, he announced to me I was leaving the rotation, and ciao.

“First of all, yes, you want to spit on everybody. hate you Derrick Rose and I looked at each other and said to each other: ‘What are we doing here?’ During five-on-five, we were on edge. Bad timing.”

He said: “If I stayed, it would be a disastrous thing for my career basketball-wise.”

It makes sense that Rose is in no rush to move Fournier as his expiring contract could be a vital part of a trade package for an important player.

The Knicks have loads of guards and small wings after signing Donte DiVincenzo to a four-year, $50 million deal and trading Obi Toppin to the Pacers.

They are in need of a big wing, and they are reportedly actively trying to create more balance in the roster.

But the trade market has been slow as teams wait to see what happens with the 76ers’ on-the-block star James Harden and the Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard.

Then again, keeping a disgruntled player seems like bad business.

Time is running out for Leon Rose and the Knicks to find Fournier a new home.

the world is waiting

The latest example of the significant progress the Knicks have made will emerge in about five weeks.

No, we are not predicting any major trade.

This is the FIBA ​​World Cup.

The Knicks will be well represented in the tournament that runs through August. 25-September 10 in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan: Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are playing for Team USA and RJ Barrett will be on Team Canada.

Three of the Knicks’ best players are being showcased on the international stage, which seems important. The Knicks are coming off their best season in a decade, winning the playoffs for the first time since 2013, and their best players are being recognized.

Of course, there are positive and negative aspects to this.

The Knicks played through mid-May, leaving little time to rest for the upcoming season.

Any time spent playing in a competitive environment increases the risk of injury, as Mets fans will remind you after losing Edwin Diaz to a major knee injury during the World Baseball Classic.

But, unlike at the time of Diaz’s injury, the FIBA ​​event would not be played at the close of the season. It’s not interfering with training camp.

Good thing extra shine is never a bad thing for a team that deserves it.

So while you can hold your breath that Barrett, Brunson and Hart avoid injury – rest assured Thibodeau will do the same – it will be fun to see all three play in front of the world, especially if the US and Canada meet in the medal round. Along with the Naismith Trophy, bragging rights will also be at stake.

It’s a potentially intriguing matchup on several levels: Brunson against rising Thunder star Shai Gilgieus-Alexander, the Nets’ Hart and former Villanova teammate Mikal Bridges going up against Barrett and Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray.

In the midst of a cool summer, this tournament offers something to cheer about.

Benefits of Being Bored in Las Vegas

The biggest Knicks positive about Summer League had nothing to do with anything happening on the court.

There was no hype or buzz about the tentative group of undrafted free agents and travelers that went to Las Vegas, and that was a good thing.

It was a testament to how far the Knicks have come in recent years.

Now, part of that was related to only selecting one player — 2022 second-rounder Trevor Keals — in the last two drafts.

It was also indicative of a contender who didn’t have a roster spot; It has developed players who are no longer in summer leagues.

The Knicks’ summer league teams used to be interesting because they often featured top draft picks. This has not happened recently. His last top-10 pick was Toppin in 2020 (No. 8 overall).