Evan Fournier: Contract is in ‘back of my mind’

Evan Fournier‘s upcoming free agency remains a big story for the Orlando Magic as the season progresses. It is indeed in the back of his mind, he said.

A big storyline that will pop up on and off again throughout the season  is the unsettled contract status for Evan Fournier.

This offseason, Fournier was in line for an extension as he prepared to enter restricted free agency without a deal this October. The Magic and Fournier of course did not reach a deal. The Magic were looking for a deal closer to $8 million per year and Fournier was looking for something closer to $10 million per year.

The two sides moved into this season ready to see where Fournier could set his market, the Magic knowing they could match any offer.

Fournier has blossomed into one of the Magic’s best players. He pushed his way into the starting lineup and rewarded Skiles for that decision with consistently strong play. After a brief down spell, Fournier has rebounded nicely. For the season he is averaging 14.6 points per game on a 52.8 effective field goal percentage.

The specter of his summer is still there. He told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel his uncertain contract status and his potential future in Orlando is still in the back of his mind as he plays out this season:

"“Of course. It is in the back of your mind. You are trying to play your best basketball. When I started playing basketball, it’s about winning championships and being a great player. That’s what really motivates me, being great. I don’t want to be a mediocre player or average.“I know if I have a very good season, the money is gonna follow.”"

Certainly Fournier is playing to set his market value. And with the way he has played early in the season has certainly been encouraging enough for him at least. He should get a deal closer to what he and his agent were seeking rather than the smaller deal the Magic were offering.

That is of course what everyone wants: for a player to earn his keep on the court.

Fournier has proven himself already to be one of the Magic’s most consistent players. With the team lacking much strong shooting, his ability to shoot and his awareness of knowing when to drive and attack have proven invaluable. His versatility on offense and generally just being solid on defense, particularly within the team’s scheme, have turned him into a key player for the Magic.

Certainly as February creeps a little closer, the trade winds will pick up. Teams who may already be thinking about going after Fournier in the summer may come out of the woodworks to try to acquire him before then. And the Magic will have to really assess just how much they are willing to pay for him in the summer when those calls come.

Fournier’s future will remain keenly in focus as the season progresses. As long as he is producing and the team is winning, he is taking care of himself and putting the Magic in the hot seat to determine his value to them.

Next: Victor Oladipo finds his consistency despite struggles

The good news is, Fournier also told Robbins he would like to stay in Orlando long term.