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2017 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Evan Fournier

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) and guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the fourth quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) and guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the fourth quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
Feb 6, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

What to Look For

Evan Fournier was extremely efficient last year. He shot 40.0 percent from beyond the arc and a 54.6 percent effective field goal percentage. He was one of the best 3-point shooters on the team and provided a lot of balance to the Magic’s lineup.

In averaging 15.4 points per game, he stepped up in a big way offensively. He gave it the balance it needed.

Need him to run some pick and roll? He could do it — 0.80 points per possession on pick and rolls as the ball handler. Need him to spread the floor as a spot-up shooter? He could do it — 1.05 points per possession on spot-ups, but a 39 percent field goal percentage on it. Need him to drive? He could do it — 4.0 points per game on 5.7 drives per game last season.

Fournier was solid at doing it all, taking advantage of whatever weakness the defense showed him.

Fournier was especially adept at driving to the open area as defenses rotated to cover. He got the bulk of his drives and scoring there. And he knew when to pull up for a shot or get all the way to the basket.

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He is not the strongest driver or isolation player. That is not what the Magic asked him to do last year. Fournier can support a strong ensemble that can break the defense down and give him space.

Give Fournier an inch and he will take it and use it effectively.

Defensively, Fournier is not a lock-down defender. The Magic often asked him to play out of position at small forward where he was not big or tall enough to defend those players. But he was still solid for the Magic. Putting him on a secondary ballhandler on the perimeter was never a bad thing.

Fournier is a solid all-around player. Equally adept at working on or off the ball as the team requires. He is going to put up big games or support in the ensemble cast the Magic have.