Evan Fournier had a possibility to increase his NBA profession, however he reveals in an interview with the French media outlet L’Equipe that he declined a two-year provide from the Wizards, in line with French journalist Maxime Aubin (Twitter hyperlink).
The complete interview received’t be posted till Thursday, however Aubin studies that Fournier stated he wasn’t inquisitive about taking up a “mentoring function” or taking part in for “a shedding group.” That’s the state of affairs he discovered himself in after being despatched to Detroit eventually season’s commerce deadline. Fournier wound up taking part in 29 video games for the Pistons and averaging 7.2 PPG off the bench in 18.7 minutes per night time whereas taking pictures 37.3% from the sector and 27% from three-point vary, each far under his profession averages.
The 32-year-old guard opted to return to Europe, agreeing to a two-year contract with Olimpiacos over the weekend. After being caught in Tom Thibodeau’s doghouse with the Knicks and seeing very restricted taking part in time over the previous two seasons, Fournier wished a state of affairs the place he might “get pleasure from taking part in basketball once more,” per Aubin.
Fournier was one of many league’s most efficient taking pictures guards throughout his six-plus seasons with Orlando, and he had a robust first 12 months with New York, beginning all 80 video games he performed whereas averaging 14.1 PPG and taking pictures 38.9% from past the arc. He fell out of favor with Thibodeau the following season due to his defensive shortcomings, however the Knicks’ entrance workplace determined to carry onto him and his hefty contract in case it was wanted for a serious commerce.
Finally month’s Olympics, Fournier confirmed he can nonetheless play at a excessive stage in opposition to a number of the world’s finest competitors. He averaged 9.8 factors in six video games to assist French seize the silver medal.
Fournier obtained a hero’s welcome from Greek followers when he arrived on the airport and posted a quick video of their response on Twitter. He informed L’Equipe that taking part in in Europe turned his precedence after the Olympics wrapped up, Eurohoops relays.
“I might have favored to expertise extra issues within the NBA, I solely made the playoffs 5 instances,” Fournier stated. “However you don’t management every little thing about your future there. After the Olympic Video games, I informed my agent that I used to be eager to (return to Europe). Olympiakos was my precedence.”
