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2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Evan Fournier

By Drew Miller

MILWUAKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 10, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWUAKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 10, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 2: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 2, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Good and The Bad

Per Game Table
G MP FG% 3P% eFG% FT% TRB AST STL TOV PTS
57 32.2 .459 .379 .538 .867 3.2 2.9 0.8 1.7 17.8

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/24/2018.

Evan Fournier has clearly shown his ability to score in the NBA. While struggling with efficiency in the 2017 season, he has increased his field goal and 3-point percentage by two percentage points and has decreased his turnovers by .4 per game. All while playing at the same usage rate as the year before.

Fournier has been able to knock down the three with great consistency and drive to the basket when needed. He has proven to be an above average offensive player and has played well this season with fellow “stars” Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic.

While Fournier has become a solid offensive player, on defense, Fournier has been a below average player for his whole career. Fournier had a -2.1 defensive box plus-minus and has never had a season greater than -1.5. Fournier has been one of the worst defenders in the league that received major playing time, as the team had a 109.3 defensive rating with him on the floor. That ranked outside the leagues top 100.

Fournier finished his second year of a five-year, $85-million contract. While he has scored at a great rate, his contract has become a burden on new president Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond.

Weltman and Hammond have little money and opportunity to create a team they want. And while Fournier is certainly valuable, the Magic have little cap flexibility. They will be stuck twiddling their thumbs during free agency this year, in large part due to his bloated contract.