Newly Arrived Evan Fournier Faces Uncertain Role with Detroit Pistons

Newly arrived in Detroit in the last minutes of free agency, Evan Fournier expects a lot from this opportunity, but his new coach does not seem as enthusiastic.

The coach of the Pistons, the worst team in the NBA, Monty Williams remained evasive on Saturday about the future role of Frenchman Evan Fournier, transferred to Detroit on Thursday after a long period without playing for the New York Knicks.

“We’ll see, I remain open-minded about this”said Williams, when asked about his plans for Fournier at a press conference, before the match against the Clippers in Los Angeles. “We already have a lot of backs. To tell you that this player will play in this position, in this role, would be irresponsible. He (Fournier) has experience, has experienced a lot of situations in the NBA, he is one of the leaders of the France team, he is a good player. I had observed him well in Orlando during his best seasons (2014-2021). In recent years he hasn’t played much, for I don’t know what reason, we’ll see what happens with us.” Fournier was not yet present on Saturday with his new team in Los Angeles.

The 31-year-old guard joined Detroit on Thursday as part of a multi-player trade with New York. The Pistons have been very active in the transfer market to try to rebuild a quality squad, and several of their recruits could only be adjustment variables. The Michigan franchise, for example, released French leader Killian Hayes from his contract. Stuck on the Knicks bench for more than a year, and weighed down by an important contract, Fournier hopes to find playing time, he who is aiming for a podium at the Paris Olympic Games with the French team this summer. But his role and his future minutes of play remain uncertain in Detroit.

The experienced Monty Williams (52 years old) was then much more enthusiastic about the Italian Simone Fontecchio (28 years old), who also arrived during the week, from the Utah Jazz. “I expect him to become a pillar of the team. We traded players to get him, with the intention that he would play an important part in our future development.explained the coach.

2024-02-10 23:02:04
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