By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Detroit Pistons presenting a bigger role immediately translated into a 25-minute showing for Evan Fournier on Tuesday. The French swingman netted 13 points with 4/9 field goals, surpassing his total of 12 points as a member of the New York Knicks in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season.
Fournier, 31, was traded to the Pistons on Thursday. “I am really excited to finally be out of New York, I am looking forward to the opportunity,” he mentioned following the medical tests to complete the transaction on Monday.
Cleared to play against the Los Angeles Lakers in Crypto.com Arena, he recorded four rebounds, two steals, and one assist, besides scoring 13 points, coming off the bench in his Pistons debut. With the Knicks, he was held to 4.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 assists over three appearances this season.
His contract featuring a team option valued at 19 million dollars for the 2024-25 season, the INSEP product is likely to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, after completing his 12th campaign in the league based in North America.
In 2012, the Denver Nuggets selected Fournier with the 20th overall pick of the NBA draft. After two years in Mile-High City, a trade to the Orlando Magic in 2014 launched a long spell until being traded to the Boston Celtics midway through the 2020-21 season. Heading to the 2021-22 Regular Season, he was acquired by the Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal.
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