Orlando Magic Mid-Season Player Grades
Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. B+. <p><strong>Offensive Rating</strong>: 83.8<br /> <strong>Defensive Rating:</strong> 76.2</p>. G/F
Evan Fournier started the season as Orlando’s go-to No. 1 option. Everyone wondered if it would stay that way (spoiler alert: It did not), as Fournier had been little more than a role player prior to this season.
Fournier began the season attacking, and he played his way above the $10 million offer Fournier reportedly sought from the Magic before his extension date passed.
Not being able to re-sign Fournier has vast implications towards the future of this roster.
Essentially, the Magic may be left choosing between Fournier and Oladipo at some point. The decision will not be an easy one.
Fournier has showed an increased ability to involve his teammates, and he is putting the ball on the floor significantly more this season. His stats have now normalized, as he is averaging 13.9 points per game on 11.2 shots. It is still an increase from his 9.9 shot attempts last year, and his usage rate is roughly the same — he is just being more aggressive when he does get the ball.
On the defensive end, Fournier has stepped up and covered the best 2-guards in the NBA with mixed results.
Overall Fournier is competent at sliding his feet and staying in front of guys with much quicker first steps. He does not do anything on the basis of overwhelming athleticism, but rather he stays smart and avoids making too many silly mistakes.
Fournier averages three personal fouls per game, but he also only turns it over 1.8 times per game. Fournier is a low-risk option either to be a complementary shooter in the first unit or the primary playmaker in the second.
Fournier offers the Magic the best perimeter shooting it has outside of Frye, and Fournier’s shooting at about his career average this season from behind the arc (38 percent).
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