The New York Knicks signed free agent guard Evan Fournier to a four-year deal on Monday. Such a move wasn’t optimal for their future plans.
Fournier is a capable backcourt player, no question. But is he $78 million good?
The Knicks decided to use a large chunk of their cap space on Fournier, who should improve a team that was already four-seed worthy in 2020-21. However, it could eliminate the Knicks from adding the star player that they typically covet.
A mere moments later, New York also re-signed Derrick Rose in a savvy addition. It speaks to Tom Thibodeau’s team-first philosophy. However, is it enough to break through in the Eastern Conference?
NBA Free Agency: Twitter trolls Knicks for signing Evan Fournier
Fournier is currently playing with France in the Tokyo Olympics. He averaged 17 points and three assists per game last season.
After being traded to the Boston Celtics midseason, Fournier thrived in Beantown, so much so that they were interested in bringing him back this summer. The Knicks threw a lot of money his way to ensure that wasn’t the case.
NBA fans gave the Knicks a hard time for supposedly overpaying for Fournier, even though it was followed by bringing back D-Rose.
Evan Fournier got PAID by the Knicks.
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) August 3, 2021
Knicks fans: pic.twitter.com/z1LwsarZI7
And that'll do it for the Knicks cap space. https://t.co/pEoebpcaBh
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/Dreamville103/status/1422347911950655488
Dolan saw what Evan Fournier did against KD and Dame and said pay him whatever.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 3, 2021
The Knicks spent $120 Million dollars and a combined 7 years on Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose. #NBAFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/seV3fFdE67
— Bryce Zielinski (@zbryce21) August 3, 2021
Evan Fournier’s agent pic.twitter.com/LyZCVl7vJ4
— damien 🪐 ひ (@LeMaskedJames) August 3, 2021
Knicks front office when they saw Fournier play against Team USA pic.twitter.com/dqBDAf3AcS
— Stephen A. Smith Burner’s Burner Parody (@TheSASBurner) August 3, 2021
I absolutely HATE the Fournier deal for the Knicks
— Jamie Calandro DFS (@jac3600) August 3, 2021
*looks up Evan Fournier highlights* pic.twitter.com/pUSZkkvhzl
— diChapio (@diChapio) August 3, 2021
Fournier actually does make a lot of sense for a Knicks team that lacks shooting. However, the issue here is the financial incentive.
Only time will tell if New York made a mistake.