Possible landing spots for Evan Fournier
By Ryan Doyle
Detroit Pistons
Before the Magic and Pistons ultimately agreed to a deal that would send Tobias Harris to the Motor City, they apparently made a call on Fournier, according to Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
They still got Harris as essentially their big free agent signing of the offseason, but Fournier still makes perfect sense to move the Pistons into the top of Eastern Conference. That is if the Pistons can free enough cap room first. Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders projects them to have $14 million in cap room. That is not likely to wrest Fournier away from the Magic. They would easily match that amount.
His shooting is invaluable. And the Pistons are still a few pieces away from becoming a serious contender, but are moving in the right direction with Stan Van Gundy at the helm.
The Pistons are in need of outside shooting and Fournier would provide an immediate boost. Fournier shot 42 percent from 3-point range last season and at such a young age, that number can be even better.
Currently, the Pistons have Jodie Meeks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the roster and adding Fournier may seem like a luxury on the surface.
When looking deeper, Meeks only played three games last season and is not a long-term solution at the two-guard spot. Caldwell-Pope looked like the future at the end of the season, but he is a restricted free-agent following next season and there is no guarantee the Pistons will sign him. Fournier is a safe option and is great insurance if Caldwell-Pope decides to leave town and the Pistons opt not to match.
Fournier fits the mold of a Stan Van Gundy player. A high-character and versatile player that is a reliable performer is exactly what the Pistons need to take the next step.
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