Evan Fournier opts in to his player option as was widely expected by anyone who follows the NBA and the Orlando Magic. In the first move of what will be a busy week for the team Fournier chose to pick up his $17M player option.
NO SURPRISES AS EVAN FOURNIER OPTS IN
This is an expected move by Evan, rather than test the market by becoming an unrestricted free agent.
In his 5th season in Orlando Evan Fournier had a career year for the Magic, averaging 18.5 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting, going 39.9% from the 3.
Those numbers took a huge dip in the postseason. Evan struggled averaging just 12.8 points on 35.1% shooting from the field.
For much of the season he had been the Magic’s only reliable shooting option. Unfortunately, for a second consecutive season Fournier was a non-factor in the playoffs. His stats against the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoff first round hurt our chances of progression. Coach Clifford publicly stated Evan had become ill (non COVID related) upon entering the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World and was hampered throughout by this.
MAGIC FAN REACTION
The news is not going to be universally popular with Magic fans but for now Evan remains an Orlando Magic player. Evan polarises fan opinion.
For some Magic fans Fournier is loved for his willingness to take the responsibility of those clutch shots. As already highlighted he was for chunks of last season the Magic’s most reliable scoring threat from deep.
For others he is a useful player to have in the squad. He provides shooting but is not favoured as our first option.
Then there is the camp of wanting Evan Fournier gone. Being seen as a streaky shooter and as ball greedy. Criticism also comes from appearing to only want to play with Nikola Vucevic.
AS EVAN FOURNIER OPTS IN DOES HE HAVE A FUTURE IN ORLANDO?
We will have to wait and see if the Magic Front Office have others plans for Fournier during the off-season.
The Magic will seek to address those well documented needs of the team. Evan could easily form a useable and desirable piece for in a trade.
During our most recent Penny For Your Thoughts with Josh Robbins of the Athletic trade scenarios and Magic needs were discussed.
Besides being on our YouTube channel Penny For Your Thoughts is further available as a podcast on:
Anchor https://anchor.fm/…/Episode-8-What-Should-The-Orlando
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/…/penny-for…/id1539159864
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gEyH0YTlpD4R2plyuXSqV
THE OFF-SEASON IMPORTANT DATES
Trade season has already begun.
But next up is the NBA Draft on Wednesday 18th November.
Orlando have the 15th pick in the first round but are reported by some to be interested in moving up the draft. The Magic management team are famously tight-lipped so it remains to be seen how accurate those reports are. The draft class for this season is not seen as the strongest. We in the UK do not see the college basketball so in all honesty it is hard for us to have any great knowledge of the prospects. What is clear from the NBA media is that there is no clear front runner for the Number 1 pick.
Free Agency begins just two nights later on Friday 20th November.
Training Camp commences on Tuesday 1st December.
Preseason will take place between December 11th and the 19th. Each team can request up to 4 games and must play one fixture at home.
Opening Night of the 2020-21 season is slated for Tuesday 22nd December with a shortened 72 game schedule.
So if you love or hate Evan his immediate future with the Magic is yet to be written.
So strap yourselves in, we are in for an interesting time!
