Report: Evan Fournier 'Has No Intention' to Sign New Magic Contract Amid Rumors
March 23, 2021
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier has reportedly told the team he has "no intention" of re-signing as a free agent this offseason, making it likelier he is traded ahead of the March 25 deadline.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon wrote a Fournier trade could come as part of a "roster reset" in Orlando. Aaron Gordon is also expected to see interest before Thursday after reportedly requesting a trade.
Fournier is averaging 19.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 38.3 percent from three-point range. He's been an efficient scorer throughout his seven seasons in Orlando, a reliable floor-spacer who can create for himself some off the dribble.
Given that the Magic have the NBA's fourth-worst record and Fournier has no intention of returning, finding a team willing to give up another expiring contract and a draft pick should be a priority ahead of the deadline. With many teams seemingly willing to stand pat, it's possible a playoff-bound team would be willing to give up a protected first-round pick for Fournier.
The Magic are in a good position to trade Fournier as well because his $17 million base salary is one of the more matchable deals among available veterans. Several contenders have the $13.6 million in salary needed to make a trade for Fournier work under the salary cap—assuming they have room under the hard cap. The $13.6 million figure is a bare minimum to satisfy NBA trade rules.
Gordon likewise has a tradable contract with an $18.1 million base salary this season, so the Magic might be the most active team to watch ahead of the deadline.
