Evan Fournier Says He Rejected Wizards Contract, Didn't Want to Play for Losing Team

Former NBA wing Evan Fournier, who just signed a two-year, $4 million deal with Greek professional basketball club Olympiacos, said he turned down a contract with the Washington Wizards.

Maxine Aubin of L'Équipe reported the news from the Frenchman, who cited his lack of interest in a "mentoring role" for younger players as well as playing for a "losing team" during an appearance on the First Team podcast.

The Wizards just went 15-67 last season, bad enough for the NBA's second-worst win-loss record (the 14-68 Detroit Pistons resided in the cellar).

Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the team's over/under for wins next season sits at 20.5, so projections aren't great for next year's squad, either.

Washington also has a roster that skews younger, with most of the team 25 years old or younger. But there are some veterans in the mix, including Jonas Valančiūnas, Richaun Holmes, Malcolm Brogdon and Kyle Kuzma.

Ultimately, Fournier decided to parlay a successful Olympic run with silver medalist France into a new deal with Olympiacos.

The 31-year-old fared well over a 12-year NBA career, though, averaging 13.6 points on 44.1 percent shooting, including a career-high 18.5 PPG for an Orlando Magic team that made the playoffs.

Playing time had been hard to come by over the previous two seasons, though, namely with the New York Knicks. He fell out of the rotation there but landed with the Pistons before the end of the 2023-24 season, averaging 7.2 PPG in 18.7 MPG.

Fournier was third on the France team in scoring during the 2024 Paris Olympics, posting 9.8 PPG.