Orlando Magic Player Evaluations 2016

Evan Fournier

Everyone knows the story. Or at least the phenomenon.

Players in contract years tend to play better, accentuating their value and statistics to get that big payday. Evan Fournier certainly took advantage of that phenomenon.

Really though, Fournier began to emerge last year. Through some of his injuries, he had some great moments offensively. His shooting obviously was something the Magic needed desperately. But he helped move the ball well too and was solid defensively, even if a bit undersized to play small forward.

There was no more surprising shining star for the Magic than Fournier. He seemingly came out of nowhere thrived in the Magic’s new motion-based offense. He attacked well off closeouts when he could not get his shot and moved the ball well.

As I wrote, Fournier’s emergence was one of the big surprises of the season.

"For his second season with the Magic, a contract year at that, no one knew quite what to expect from him. He obviously could help the team, but no one saw him as potentially a core player. He seemed destined to slot in as the Sixth Man. Something changed though. All that potential as a fill-in-the-gaps playmaker and 3-point shooter seemed to appeal more to the Magic’s new motion-based offense. He seemed to be the one defenses ignored and made them pay. Fournier quickly established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent players on the team. Defenses had to begin to pay attention."

It was hard to find much fault in Fournier in grading him with a ‘B+‘. This was about the best Fournier could play.

And leaves a big question about his free agency this summer.

Next: The rookie