The Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier have agreed on a five-year, $85 million contract, according to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spear.
Magic, Evan Fournier agree on 5-year, $85 million contract
Fournier is expected to take up the mantle as the Magic’s shooting guard of the present and future. At only 23 years old, there’s plenty of room for the Frenchman to develop into an All-Star talent.
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Fournier has quietly developed into one of the league's steadier shooting guards, though he's been trapped on some mediocre teams throughout his young career. He was drafted 20th overall in 2012 by the Denver Nuggets but struggled to find playing time on a 57-win team. He was traded to Orlando the following season and has been stuck at the bottom of the Southeast Division ever since. This year's 35-win Magic squad was the closest he's come to a winning record as a full-time contributor.
However, that trade to the Magic created a pathway to more playing time. The 23-year-old developed into a full-time starter over the next three years and rewarded Orlando’s faith with a breakout 2015-16 season. He averaged 15.6 points per game while giving his team a reliable and efficient scoring option from behind the arc. He drained 40 percent of his three-pointers and 46.2 percent of his shots from the field in all to emerge as one of the team’s most consistent weapons.
While Fournier’s defensive chops lag behind his offensive game, he’s been improving his work on that end of the floor. He’s not quite an average defender, but he’s solid enough that a strong scheme can hide his deficiencies.
That wasn't enough to scare off the Magic, which traded away Victor Oladipo in part because they trusted Fournier to develop further. Now he'll have to prove he isn't done improving in order to make good on his first non-rookie contract.
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