Evan Fournier feels he’s officially reached his breaking point with the New York Knicks.
Fournier, who played with the Boston Celtics in 2020-21, had a rough go with the Knicks last season, claiming he’d be
traded by New York this offseason. The 30-year-old veteran played just 17 minutes a night, the lowest Fournier has played
since his rookie year with the Orlando Magic, and he’s had enough.
“If you want to trade me with a good return, why didn’t you use me? I was coming out of a season where I was the fourth-
best 3-point shooter in the league,” Fournier told L’Equipe, according to basketballnews.com. “Why not take advantage of it?
Now they won’t get anything interesting and that’s normal because I couldn’t show anything (on the court).”
This is vaguely similar to how Fournier’s 16-game stint with the Celtics went.
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In Boston, Fournier never was able to find his footing, thrown in the backseat behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The
C’s, like the Knicks, weren’t able to implement Fournier’s 3-point-based offense into their rotation, most times stranding
him in the corner mid-game to watch Tatum and Brown, who at that time, weren’t particularly good at getting their
teammates involved.
This downgraded role for the last three years has caught up, striking a cord within Fournier, now wanting no part of the
Knicks or head coach Tom Thibodeau. Instead, Fourier insists he’d be better taking his talents out to the Western
Conference and joining fellow French countryman Victor Wembanyama in a San Antonio Spurs jersey next season.
“I want a spot where I can have fun again, where I can be myself,” Fournier explained. “Would their game be more suited to
me? It’s not the Spurs of 2014 anymore but playing for (Greg Popovich), learning from him, it would be a pleasure and an
honor, for sure. Afterward, being with Victor, looking at the (upcoming Paris) Olympics, being able to start connecting on
the court, that would be great.”
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3 way too early trade deadline targets for the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are going to have to add at the trade deadline this season. Whether it’s a splash move or minor moves
around the margins, something will have to be done if they want to solidify themselves as true title contenders.
We at the Houdini figured we would start early on our trade deadline targets for the Cs — giving a couple of pipe dreams that
could be reality targets and one realistic target.
Here are three way-too-early trade deadline targets for the Celtics.
No. 1 Way too early Boston Celtics trade deadline target: Monte Morris
Monte Morris could be a Celtics trade deadline target as he is a free agent in 2024. The Celtics could look to get Morris as a
rental for the second-half push in 2024. Morris could also serve as insurance at the point guard position, as Malcolm
Brogdon has a history of injuries.
Morris would be a solid addition for the Cs as he played in 62 games last season and averaged 10 points and five assists.
With Morris on the Detroit Pistons, there is a strong possibility that he gets moved at the deadline to a contending team.
I would expect the Cs to be in the market for a guy like Morris.
No. 2 Way too early Boston Celtics trade deadline target: Damian Lillard
If the Portland Trailblazers decide to hold on to Damian Lillard and force him to play this season, things could get
interesting. The Celtics have the assets to get a deal done, and the more time that goes by, the better chance the team has to
get him.
Also, with the uncertainty regarding Jaylen Brown and his contract negotiations, the possibility grows that Brown could be
traded for Lillard. Even if the Cs don’t trade Brown for Lillard, the idea of acquiring Lillard has been talked about. Most of
the reporting has been that Jayson Tatum has pushed for Lillard and that the Celtics called about him.
If Lillard starts the season as a Blazer, I would be paying attention to him if I was a Celtics fan.
No. 3 Way too early Boston Celtics trade deadline target: Joel Embiid
The idea of trading for Joel Embiid is a pipe dream, but it could become a reality for the Celtics this season. The Philadelphia
76ers are currently in a poor position, and if they lose James Harden, they will be even worse. Although Embiid has been
adamant that he will be with the 76ers long-term, I think he will eventually request a trade like most other NBA superstars.
If Embiid were to request a trade, the Celtics would have to be the favorites due to his relationship with Tatum. The Celtics will be ready to strike if Embiid becomes available next season.
“The Celtics are positioning themselves to strike when the chance for another massive trade materializes.”
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