MIAMI — After the Knicks’ second-round exit from the playoffs, Evan Fournier is satisfied of two issues:
He might’ve helped them of their sequence loss to Miami.
They usually’re not going to carry him again.
“There’s no means they’re going to maintain me. I’d be very stunned in the event that they did,” Fournier stated after Friday night time’s season-ending, Sport 6 loss in South Florida. “So we’ll see. It’s clearly not in my palms.”
Contemplating the way in which the 30-year-old Fourier was used this season — or extra to the purpose, not used — he’s virtually actually proper.
It might be stunning to see him again within the Backyard subsequent yr, besides as a visiting participant having been traded by the Knicks.
Fournier was a mainstay in 2021-22, beginning 80 video games and averaging 14.1 factors on 38.9 % taking pictures from behind the arc in 29.5 minutes.
However he was largely marginalized this season, earlier than being benched altogether down the stretch.
Fournier logged simply 27 video games — simply seven of them begins — and averaged 6.1 factors in 17 minutes, hitting a career-low 30.7 % from deep.
Finally, Tom Thibodeau dropped the French wing from the rotation.
Fournier didn’t play a second since April 9 in opposition to Indiana, when he shot 0-for-4 in 12 minutes.
He by no means received off the bench within the playoffs, regardless of the Knicks being in determined want of outdoor taking pictures.
“My season has been over for a really very long time, really. This formally is the tip, however my season was over a very long time in the past,” Fournier stated. “It took me an excellent month to know that. At first I used to be, like, simply be affected person in seeing how the workforce developed. Clearly, there are gonna be adjustments and I’m gonna get traded.”
Fournier stated he targeted on staying in form and protecting himself mentally prepared whereas he handled the frustration of not taking part in.
Observe The Publish’s protection of the Knicks vs. Warmth NBA playoff sequence
“, when it’s the playoffs it’s even more durable as a result of … you need to assist and also you see the gang. However I knew it wasn’t going to occur. So I used to be simply making an attempt to remain optimistic with the fellows, attempt to assist, discuss to the youthful gamers that don’t have the expertise.”
The Knicks shot 29.9 % from 3-point vary of their sequence loss to the Warmth, and simply 28.6 % in Sport 6.
Requested if he felt he might have helped these postseason woes, Fourier was assured he might’ve helped within the common season as properly.
“Did I really feel like I might assist?” an incredulous Fournier requested rhetorically. “I imply, I felt like I might assist all season. So yeah, for certain.”
However Fournier isn’t more likely to get that likelihood.
He inked a hefty four-year, $73 million contract earlier than final season that has now made him a salary-cap albatross.
He has two years left on the deal, however 2024-25 is a membership choice, basically making him a one-year expiring contract.
He’ll make almost $18.9 million subsequent season, but when the Knicks plan on buying and selling for a major participant this summer season, Fournier’s deal would possibly should be included for salary-matching functions.
His return to New York appeared much less and fewer seemingly with each DNP.
“I imply, wouldn’t you guys be stunned? Yeah. So there we go,” stated Fournier. “[I’ve got] 11 years in, large contract, they’re clearly making an attempt to develop the younger guys. So I didn’t play this yr, so why would you carry me again?”
