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What is Evan Fournier’s future with the Orlando Magic?

By Kyle Williams

Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) points to his teammates after hitting a three point shot during the second half of a basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) points to his teammates after hitting a three point shot during the second half of a basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic have to make a choice with Evan Fournier, whether he is right or wrong for the future.

Back on June 26, 2014, the Orlando Magic traded Arron Afflalo to the Denver Nuggets for Evan Fournier and the draft rights to Devyn Marble. Reactions at first were not the best, as many wondered how this made any sense considering Afflalo’s career surge with Orlando and Fournier’s relatively meager first few years in the league.

However, Rob Hennigan sprinkled his secret stuff on an unknown player once again, and now the trade seems better than ever.

Evan Fournier has been averaging 14.0 points, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game for Orlando this season. It does not seem like a boatload of numbers, but he is definitely the shooter Orlando needed.

He has been shooting 39.8 percent from the 3-point land, and 82.7 percent from the charity strike. Not to mention, he is only 23 years old.

The Magic overall this season has had their ups and downs. They are currently nowhere near as good as they were in the start of the season, but they would not even have as many wins as they do now without Fournier.

However it is not all sunshine with this rising player. He is a restricted free agent after this season. Orlando has the ability to match any offer they see come its way, but he still may leave for a better team or bigger contract elsewhere.

Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports reported in November the Magic offered Fournier a four-year, $32-million deal this past summer, but he rejected it. Fournier was reportedly looking for something closer to $10 million per year in negotiations. Nothing wrong with that, but it shows the Magic have to make a big choice with Fournier.

Is he worth the money, or is it best to let him walk?

Well, his production this season is definitely not a fluke. He has shown over and over he can play and mostly play consistent.

Although, his fit to this team can be difficult, especially as the group moves forward. Mario Hezonja is a shooting guard/small forward, so his minutes are limited with Fournier on the team. Fournier also limits Victor Oladipo at times, because Fournier’s shooting is needed at times when Oladipo is not.

Fournier usually plays better at shooting guard than small forward, although he has done both.

He has been averaging minutes 31.5 minutes a game, and he has not even been starting every game. So his minutes are not the problem, it is just whether he is restricting other Magic players minutes. Hezonja needs to play to grow, so hopefully Fournier does not stunt that.

Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
Dec 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Evan Fournier (10) celebrate after beating the Utah Jazz 103-94 at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Moving forward, the Magic will have to consider what Fournier’s role is for the future of the team with all these other players in place.

Since the trade deadline is coming up, it is possible Fournier has been receiving some calls and interest. He may be a piece to sweeten a big deal, or just to get a small deal going.

So trading him may be a good option, as long as it is the right offer. There’s absolutely no reason to just trade him for the sake of getting rid of him, unless the team has no plans to re-sign him.

Going back to the free agency, if he could show that he is a solid player throughout the rest of the season, it would not make sense to let him just walk. It also would not make sense to throw too much money at him, like he is a franchise changer.

Something in the middle would be the best way to go. If he decides to go elsewhere, then that just means more minutes and chances for Mario Hezonja and Victor Oladipo. However, Fournier accepting a deal with Orlando could just mean they have another young gem on their hands. He may have to adapt more, but it is for everyone’s benefit too.

Next: Has Mario Hezonja moved up the OMD Rookie Rankings?

All in all, Evan Fournier is just another puzzle piece. He is undoubtedly a possible fit with this Magic squad, but he is not quite the best. He is a player that can be replaced if the team cannot afford him or they can continue to develop more if he fits their plans.