Evan Fournier Reportedly to Re-Sign with Magic: Contract Details, Reaction
Finding a young and talented scorer is something every NBA team hopes for, which is why the Orlando Magic are keeping Evan Fournier around.
Per Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, after testing the restricted free-agent market, Fournier opted to re-sign with the Magic on a five-year, $85 million deal. Sam Amick of USA Today confirmed the report.
Fournier has been slow to develop in the four years since the Denver Nuggets made him a first-round pick in 2012. The good news is his career arc has been in a constant ascent, which he capped off by setting new benchmarks in points (15.4), rebounds (2.8) and steals (1.2) per game last year.
Recognizing that Fournier was continuing to get better, the Magic did offer him a four-year, $32 million extension in 2015, per Shams Charania of The Vertical.
At the time he turned down that deal, Fournier described how he attacks the game and what his ultimate goal in the NBA is, per Charania:
"When I was 19, I had the ball in my hands in every close game and it was a learning experience for me as a pro. I was already the leading scorer of my French team the year before I got drafted. It was my first time being the leader of a team, and it’s helping me now. I've learned so much from it. Everyone pushes me to be the best I can be. I don’t have any limits. Whatever happens, I want to give my best.
"
That quote is the sound of a young player betting on himself, and it wound up paying off in a big way.
Following Fournier's successful 2015-16 season, there's every reason to think he will continue to get better. The French standout is just 23 years old and performed better in the second half after permanently joining the starting lineup.
| Before All-Star Break | 44.5 | 39.8 | 57.2 | 108 | 108 | 14.0 |
| After All-Star Break | 49.0 | 40.3 | 61.1 | 115 | 114 | 17.9 |
The Magic have been slow to come out of this current rebuilding phase that began after they traded Dwight Howard following the 2011-12 season. However, new head coach Frank Vogel brings a strong voice and resume with him after spending six years with the Indiana Pacers.
Fournier showed last year he can be an essential piece of what Orlando's front office is building. The Magic still lack a superstar, but the components in place have the franchise on the right track.
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