Blues full-back Evan Fournier has signed up with the New York Knicks, announced the franchise on Tuesday, for four seasons, according to ESPN. This transfer had been revealed on August 3 by the American media, but had not yet been formalized by the New York franchise.
The recent Olympic silver medalist with the France team would have signed a contract of 78 million dollars (66 million euros) according to the journalist of ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski, one of the most aware of transfers in the NBA.
The press release tells us, however, that the French back did not engage directly with his new franchise, but first extended with the Celtics before being traded (sign-and-trade) with two future second rounds. draft in 2022 and 2023. In return, Boston will receive a “trade exception” of $ 17 million that it can spend to strengthen itself, according to insider Marc Stein.
.@nyknicks Acquire Evan Fournier pic.twitter.com/YgILaBMGCS
– NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) August 17, 2021
In Boston, he finds the leader Kemba Walker, with whom he played the second part of the season with the Boston Celtics, and whose transfer was also formalized on Tuesday. Fournier was a free agent at the opening of the “free agency”, and could therefore commit to the franchise of their choice.
He will play next season at the legendary Madison Square Garden, which counted in his choice, as he said during the presentation press conference: “I’ve always loved playing ‘MSG’, the atmosphere and the energy in this hall are different, so being able to play 41 matches here, with the fans … I can’t wait!”
At 28, Fournier seems in the form of his life, after an Olympic tournament where he was the No. 1 offensive option for the Blues, with 18.7 pts per game. “He is a great teammate, a fierce competitor and the perfect complement for our players”Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement. “He wants to be a part of what we’re building here, and we’re happy he’s joining our family. “
Daydreamin’ #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/NjPx3kP4WL
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) August 17, 2021
The 2012 Denver Nuggets-drafted full-back spent six and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic, most of his time in the NBA. He is joining an ambitious franchise, having returned to the limelight last year, ending the season in 4th place in the Eastern Conference.
“It was very hard playing against the Knicks last season, they were very disciplined”, Fournier said. “They had real cohesion, and it showed during the season, where they improved, as a player it’s exciting because you want to play in a team that works well and wins . “
Thanks in particular to the emergence of strong winger Julius Randle, elected MIP (player with the most progress of the season), the Knicks reached the play-offs for the first time since 2013.
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