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With the trade deadline just around the corner, rumors and whispers have been flying left and right. The latest ‘victim' of such wild rumors is Orland Magic swingman Evan Fournier. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Fournier has no intention of re-signing with the Magic after this season.
Fournier himself, however, said the report isn't true, slamming it on Twitter.
I've never said such a thing. Straight up lie. https://t.co/oTkEMPnAlX
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) March 23, 2021
Fournier, who's on the last year of his five-year, $85 million contract, will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. For the past five years, the sweet-shooting guard from France has been one of the most important pieces of the Magic's roster—an automatic 15-20-point type of player with decent defensive capabilities.
This year has been his best season thus far. He's averaging career-highs of 19.1 points and 3.6 assists on top of 3.1 rebounds. At face value, perhaps there's no real reason why Fournier would want to bolt out of the team. A look at the team standings, however, would pretty much reveal why such a rumor about him leaving would spread. As of writing, the Magic hold a 14-29 record for 14th place in the Eastern Conference.
This season was meant to be the year that the Magic would evolve into a mid-tier squad with much upside after making the NBA Playoffs for two consecutive years. But the Magic are nowhere near the postseason picture midway into the season. Yes, Fournier has definitely improved his play but what's the use if they're not translating into wins?
As Evan Fournier confirmed himself, he has no intentions of leaving the Magic. But NBA fans know that anything can happen especially with the trade deadline nearby.
