Report: Evan Fournier Won't Get Pistons Contract Buyout After Knicks Deadline Trade

Evan Fournier reportedly won't get a contract buyout from the Detroit Pistons, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

"While some around the league wondered if Fournier could hit the free agent market after landing with a rebuilding Detroit team, the Pistons have indicated they plan to keep the Frenchman, HoopsHype has learned," Scotto wrote.

Fournier was traded to the Pistons from the New York Knicks ahead of last week's NBA trade deadline and has already taken on a much bigger role with his new team. While playing for New York in the first half of the season, the shooting guard appeared in just three games, playing 13 minutes per game in those showings.

Since being traded to Detroit, Fournier has been playing 25 minutes per game off the bench, putting up 11.5 points and four rebounds per game.

Before he was traded, Fournier had been eager to get a bigger role—whether in New York or with another team. After the trade, he made it clear he was excited to no longer be playing for the Knicks.

"I'm really excited to finally be out of New York, so looking forward to a new opportunity," he said in the days following the trade.

Fournier joined New York ahead of the 2021 season and had a big first year with the team, putting up 14.1 points per game and starting in 80 contests. The 2022-23 campaign saw him slip out of head coach Tom Thibodeau's lineup with new guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on the squad, and after that, he took on a smaller role with the Knicks.

Fournier has been a valuable scoring option throughout his career, though. He averaged a career-high 19.7 points per game in his final season with the Magic in 2020-21 and put up similar numbers in the years prior.

Now, the 31-year-old will be looking for success with his new team. The Pistons are not going to be contending for a championship this season, but having a veteran guard in Fournier could be valuable for Detroit's young core as it continues to develop.