This is from Bleacher Report by Greg Swartz-
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Will Barton
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2023 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Washington Wizards)
After starting his first 87 games with the Knicks, Fournier has finally been sent to the bench.
The 30-year-old wing is still a reliable three-point shooter, but that skill hasn't covered up for his defensive deficiencies. The Knicks have been outscored by a whopping 20.8 points per 100 possessions with Fournier on the floor this season, ranking in the 6th percentile overall per Cleaning the Glass.
It's time New York looks to move Fournier and his remaining two-year, $36.9 million contract, even if it means giving up some draft equity.
Barton is a reliable wing who the Knicks can plug into their rotation immediately. He offers more playmaking than Fournier and is hitting 40.6 percent of his threes for the Wizards. His expiring $14.4 million contract means New York can open up $18.9 million worth of cap space next summer by flipping Fournier for him now.
Considering the Wizards rank 27th in three-point accuracy this season, Fournier could become a rotation piece and floor-spacer that would slot well alongside Bradley Beal.
With this deal, Washington would be rewarded for taking on Fournier's contract by getting its own 2023 first-round pick back. That pick carried protections all the way up until 2026, and by getting it back, the Wizards would control all of their future firsts and could include up to four in a trade.
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This seems like a good trade for both teams. Wizards would value getting their pick back and this deal allows us to start Reddish without creating any friction in the locker room. We can also flip Barton to another team for a second round pick. Or we could keep Barton, who might be better than Reddish.
Giving up a first round pick - even protected like this pick would be - for a player that has zero long term prospects for staying with club while also doubling up as a minute blocker that would effect Cam, Grimes, IQ and other players that need minutes on Knicks is insane.
Maybe you give up a second rounder to get out of Fournier's second year left on contract but that's it.
This is the general concept of what a Fournier deal would look like.
Fournier and a protected pick for Barton
Fournier and a protected pick for Eric Gordon
Fournier and a protected pick for Josh Richardson
Not saying I’m for or against but this is probably the outline to offload Fournier and get a slight upgrade, especially defensively.
But I think if the rest of the roster is healthy than I’d like to prevent blocking minutes for Grimes, Reddish etc.
Also, it's really only one year remaining on the deal (last year is a team option). Even if Fournier is out the rotation, I'd still want to keep his contract as ballast for future trade (hopefully one that includes Randle). Barton is OK, but does he really change the team's trajectory? I'd rather keep the pick.
If this is the deal I would rather revisit the Randle and Fournier for Westbrook, and then waive Westbrook if he becomes a locker room issue.
Lakers become competitive again and we get cap-space again...
We may be able to get a pick included in the deal.
The NBA draft of 2023 will be one of the best ever...
Potential Lottery talent into the 20s with the elimination of 1 and done rule.
I would hesitate to deal away any picks in 2023, especially just for salary dump purposes.
Yeah, no way am I giving up any 1st rnd pick to get rid of Fournier, unless I'm getting something substantial back. Doesn't make any sense.
Fournier’s contract for an $8 verification check mark in twitter
Fournier is playing so below his contract I am not sure we will be able to get anything good for him back right now. He might be a summer trade if he doesn’t start to step it up.
wargames wrote:Fournier is playing so below his contract I am not sure we will be able to get anything good for him back right now. He might be a summer trade if he doesn’t start to step it up.
I like him in the second unit. I’d let him do his thing there as the primary facilitator. I don’t need to give up a pick to get rid of him, moving him to the second unit is the right move. Let his offense skills run wild in that second unit.
EwingsGlass wrote:wargames wrote:Fournier is playing so below his contract I am not sure we will be able to get anything good for him back right now. He might be a summer trade if he doesn’t start to step it up.
I like him in the second unit. I’d let him do his thing there as the primary facilitator. I don’t need to give up a pick to get rid of him, moving him to the second unit is the right move. Let his offense skills run wild in that second unit.
Same. I can't tell if it's Fournier, where Fourier is within the offense or what, but he needs to do more or something
Part of his “decline” is also the ascension of the yoot around him. He looks good in some spots.
Last night as Clyde pointed out he did some good things without the ball.
I like that he not just says the right things about his demotion but on court perhaps buys into the notion that he can work on things and if injury or opportunity arises he’ll get the chance to start again. Also makes him more trade worthy.
All good.
Playing Euroball probably didnt help Fournier's stamina, at 30. Youngers players can recover faster.
Not opposed to seeing Fournier moved, but not right after his game has cratered. Maybe he needs fewer minutes, might help him give the Knicks more efficient PT.
Give Fournier credit for not jacking up shots, he's trying to contribute in other ways. Took his demotion with class. Team player.
No reason to trade him. I like his role, he helped last night.
I'd keep Fournier and save him for that big trade. We'll likely need his salary to make most trades work anyway.
SergioNYK wrote:I'd keep Fournier and save him for that big trade. We'll likely need his salary to make most trades work anyway.
This is literally it. He can help with the occasional hot shooting nights and shooting off bench, but that's it.
And then he'll most likely be filler in a trade
martin wrote:Giving up a first round pick - even protected like this pick would be - for a player that has zero long term prospects for staying with club while also doubling up as a minute blocker that would effect Cam, Grimes, IQ and other players that need minutes on Knicks is insane.Maybe you give up a second rounder to get out of Fournier's second year left on contract but that's it.
Fournier will be moveable after this season. No need to push him out the door unless the team gets better. He was always signed to trade in my opinion
His trade value is zilch after last night.
Lets put it this way. RJ and Brunson had bad games last night. Randle played way worse (i don’t care what the stats say) then Fournier somehow managed to make all 3 of them look good.
BigRedDog wrote:Yeah, no way am I giving up any 1st rnd pick to get rid of Fournier, unless I'm getting something substantial back. Doesn't make any sense.
Yeah this is insane. Just let him play out the year and he becomes an expiring contract as soon as the season is over. He doesn't seem like the kind of vet who would make waves in the locker room/media about not playing. (unlike say Enes Kanter)
Seems like he alone is not the outlier not playing well. He is saying all the right things and now has to adjust to the second unit.
Solid pro who I think can contribute in some form over time.
Why dump him if nothing is coming back better to improve this season? Not many teams can absorb his salary without moving something.
Ok if its prospect player on a different timeline or one that like EF chemistry is not in synch with team.
SergioNYK wrote:I'd keep Fournier and save him for that big trade. We'll likely need his salary to make most trades work anyway.
This. He basically has one more year after this season. Think he can get it going in second unit. Seems down right now but that can quickly change.
