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The Orlando Magic likely will have Evan Fournier for at least one more season.
According to Shams Charania, Fournier will exercise his player option on Monday rather than become an unrestricted free agent.
Magic’s Evan Fournier will exercise his $17M player option for the 2020-21 season on Monday, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2020
The news comes as no big surprise with the uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s offseason spending. Fournier was coming off a career year in what was his fifth season with the Magic, during which he averaged a personal-best 18.5 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting, including 39.9 percent from deep. He served as the Magic’s lone reliable outside shooter for much of the season.
Those numbers dipped considerably in the postseason, with a struggling Fournier averaging just 12.8 points on 35.1 percent shooting from the field (34.3). It was the second consecutive season Fournier was a non-factor in the playoffs, the poor timing of which was magnified with his potential free agency looming.
So, with an uncertain market, it appears that Fournier is opting to take a guaranteed $17 million from the Magic. Magic fans won’t be thrilled with the news, but with the team’s lack of shooting/replacements, bringing back Fournier on a contract year might not be the worst thing.
The Magic, of course, could have other plans that involve Fournier...
Trade season begins Monday afternoon, sources tell ESPN. Teams were informed the NBA’s moratorium will end at noon ET and deals can begin to be consummated.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
More to come on how Fournier’s decision impacts the Magic’s offseason plans.