Fournier, Celtics "far apart" (Fournier signs with Knicks)

[ozgod]

According to Mark Murphy of the Herald, negotiations are "close to stalling" as the Cs are reluctant to give Fournier a 4 year deal at $20m/yr, which would put them over the luxury tax line.

Evan Fournier, Celtics reportedly far apart in contract negotiations

The Celtics and Evan Fournier are having a tough time reaching an agreement to bring the shooting guard back to Boston.

Contract negotiations between both sides are “close to stalling,” the Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy reported Saturday. Fournier is looking for a four-year, $80 million contract as he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on Monday, Murphy added.

Even though the Celtics are above the salary cap, they can re-sign Fournier to any contract because they hold his bird rights. However, they’re roughly $950k below the luxury tax line, and unless the Celtics shed off more salary, they would be paying a luxury tax bill if they re-signed Fournier.

If Fournier leaves Boston in free agency, New York could be his next home. The Knicks are reportedly expected to pursue Fournier.

Fournier joined the Celtics this past season after Boston traded for him from Orlando prior to the trade deadline in March.

The Celtics used roughly $17.5 million of the $28.5 million traded player exception they received for Gordon Hayward to acquire Fournier, and they may have used what was remaining on the exception to get Fournier’s replacement. Boston finalized a trade to acquire guard Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks for what was remaining on the exception and center Moses Brown on Saturday.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/08/01/evan-fournier-celtics-contract-negotiation-update-nba-free-agency-rumors/?p1=hp_featurestack

[kraidstar]

Hopefully we s&t him and get a late 1st back.

Our team with Fournier as the third option isn't good enough to win a title unless the Jays make major strides.

Feels like Brad knows this and is making a run at Beal in the offseason.

[Rikibellevie]

It was very predictable. And Evan totally deserves his 80M contract. It s a good contract and signing for the Knicks but it wasn’t for us, Killing all flexibility when we will be in position to build a superteam around Tatum/Brown. We need to reset everything not named Nesmith, Pritchard and hopefully Smart and Timelord.

The Hayward TPE didn't bring anything real for now. But the real usefull TPE is to take now. Next year if we have 20M Fourniers TPE + 9M Thompsons will be essential to rebuild (esp at G, PF and C) around our superstars.

Go C's and go Evan! You are a great pro and hopefully will lead my nation to an historic gold medal . And then bring your strong mind and scoring to the Knicks, they need it. Merci Evan.

[Chief]

Celtics have to hold cap space for that 3rd all star/superstar. Evan just isn't that guy.

[Moranis]

Fournier is worth no where near 20 million a year.  That would be a terrible contract.  If that is what he wants good riddance.

[BitterJim]

I'd consider $20 million on a 3 year deal, but not for 4 years. If we want to maintain cap flexibility for next year, then the contract we sign him to needs to be easily tradable. If Fournier balls out then 3/60 would absolutely be tradable next year, but if he doesn't then it could be a problem (much more than a 2 year deal would be).

I don't want to see him walk for nothing, but I just think he's asking for too much. 3/$60 or 4/$72 is as high as I'd want to go.

[Rikibellevie]

Fournier is worth no where near 20 million a year.  That would be a terrible contract.  If that is what he wants good riddance.

His scoring abilities, maturity and mental make him deserve this money from a bad team or a team that lack of shooting. He will be OK for this contract with the Knicks. At least the first years. Of course they probably won't cross a gap with him. But he played for this contract. And is enough of a business mind to maximise his money.

[Moranis]

Fournier is worth no where near 20 million a year.  That would be a terrible contract.  If that is what he wants good riddance.

His scoring abilities, maturity and mental make him deserve this money from a bad team or a team that lack of shooting. He will be OK for this contract with the Knicks. At least the first years. Of course they probably won't cross a gap with him. But he played for this contract. And is enough of a business mind to maximise his money.

It is a terrible contract.  He is a dime a dozen role player.  He is an ok all around player, but does nothing at an even great level, let alone elite.  His current contract was a huge overpay, which is why the Magic were happy to trade him for a bucket of basketballs.  I'd be reluctant to pay him 60 million over 4 years, but 80 million.  See ya.

[Rikibellevie]

Fournier is worth no where near 20 million a year.  That would be a terrible contract.  If that is what he wants good riddance.

His scoring abilities, maturity and mental make him deserve this money from a bad team or a team that lack of shooting. He will be OK for this contract with the Knicks. At least the first years. Of course they probably won't cross a gap with him. But he played for this contract. And is enough of a business mind to maximise his money.

It is a terrible contract.  He is a dime a dozen role player.  He is an ok all around player, but does nothing at an even great level, let alone elite.  His current contract was a huge overpay, which is why the Magic were happy to trade him for a bucket of basketballs.  I'd be reluctant to pay him 60 million over 4 years, but 80 million.  See ya.

I was almost the only one here saying we shouldn t resign him because of his contract and our flex. So don't preach a priest on that I just tell if he had 5Y 85M from Magic and that he improved a lot since 2 years he desserves this contract. Fo teams like Magic or Knicks no it isn't an horrible contract day 1. It may become one if he collapses à la Parson. But I don't think. He isn't 5he most talented but is 100÷ pro. He will be usefull to a team to compete for PO the next 3 or 4 years.

[Roy H.]

He is a dime a dozen role player.  He is an ok all around player, but does nothing at an even great level, let alone elite.

What percentile would you define “great” as?

19.7 points (in Orlando), .576 eFG%, 41.3% 3PT% on 6.7 attempts,  .598 TS%

All are very good numbers.  Most rank him in the 25th - 35th range in the NBA, so in about the top 6% of players.

Top-6% isn’t “dime a dozen”.  The dude shot 46.3% 3PT% in Boston despite starting 0-for-7 from deep.  After those two games, he shot 50% from distance.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Celtics have to hold cap space for that 3rd all star/superstar. Evan just isn't that guy.

That's what it seems to boil down to.

I guess Brad (on behalf of Danny) is still holding out for Anthony Davis.

[RodyTur10]

I'd consider $20 million on a 3 year deal, but not for 4 years. If we want to maintain cap flexibility for next year, then the contract we sign him to needs to be easily tradable. If Fournier balls out then 3/60 would absolutely be tradable next year, but if he doesn't then it could be a problem (much more than a 2 year deal would be).

I don't want to see him walk for nothing, but I just think he's asking for too much. 3/$60 or 4/$72 is as high as I'd want to go.

4/72 would also be my highest offer and that is very close to what he's asking. You just have to pursuade Evan how great his role is going to be on a soon to be contender. His shooting ability and overall game is exactly what we need. I'm done with chasing dreams and shadows (Durant, Leonard, Beal). We don't need a third star. The time is now.
Build around Brown and Tatum.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I have no problem with paying the guy, the problem is the payroll/tax consequences... so if that's an issue, then he needs to go, but he'd be worth keeping.

It mentions that the Knicks are interested in him, I have no clue why they would spend their cap space on him though. I'm fine with it because we're working above the cap, but I wouldn't give out this type of contract for him if I'm under the cap... unless I have already a core group in place, and the Knicks don't.

[ozgod]

I'd consider $20 million on a 3 year deal, but not for 4 years. If we want to maintain cap flexibility for next year, then the contract we sign him to needs to be easily tradable. If Fournier balls out then 3/60 would absolutely be tradable next year, but if he doesn't then it could be a problem (much more than a 2 year deal would be).

I don't want to see him walk for nothing, but I just think he's asking for too much. 3/$60 or 4/$72 is as high as I'd want to go.

4/72 would also be my highest offer and that is very close to what he's asking. You just have to pursuade Evan how great his role is going to be on a soon to be contender. His shooting ability and overall game is exactly what we need. I'm done with chasing dreams and shadows (Durant, Leonard, Beal). We don't need a third star. The time is now.
Build around Brown and Tatum.

I agree with this. Looking at the top free agents available next year, I doubt we will get any of them. Beal is probably the most likely to want to come here, I don't think the rest have the slightest interest in being a third wheel to the Jays. I think we'll see pigs flying over the Charles before the likes of KD, Harden or Steph come here. Maybe in NBA2k 



The challenge is finding a decent third option who is happy to be a third option. Really good players usually don't like being third options to younger players, as was made evident by Hayward leaving. Kemba was probably an exception in being a veteran star who was willing to subordinate his game to two younger players, but you don't find players with that attitude and willingness to play a smaller role just anywhere.

[Jvalin]

I'd consider $20 million on a 3 year deal, but not for 4 years. If we want to maintain cap flexibility for next year, then the contract we sign him to needs to be easily tradable. If Fournier balls out then 3/60 would absolutely be tradable next year, but if he doesn't then it could be a problem (much more than a 2 year deal would be).

I don't want to see him walk for nothing, but I just think he's asking for too much. 3/$60 or 4/$72 is as high as I'd want to go.

4/72 would also be my highest offer and that is very close to what he's asking. You just have to pursuade Evan how great his role is going to be on a soon to be contender. His shooting ability and overall game is exactly what we need. I'm done with chasing dreams and shadows (Durant, Leonard, Beal). We don't need a third star. The time is now.
Build around Brown and Tatum.

I agree with this. Looking at the top free agents available next year, I doubt we will get any of them. Beal is probably the most likely to want to come here, I don't think the rest have the slightest interest in being a third wheel to the Jays. I think we'll see pigs flying over the Charles before the likes of KD, Harden or Steph come here. Maybe in NBA2k 



The challenge is finding a decent third option who is happy to be a third option. Really good players usually don't like being third options to younger players, as was made evident by Hayward leaving. Kemba was probably an exception in being a veteran star who was willing to subordinate his game to two younger players, but you don't find players with that attitude and willingness to play a smaller role just anywhere.

Who said they'd be ''a third wheel to the Jays''? For instance, if we sign Beal/Kawhi/Butler/LaVine, I'm pretty sure that our 3rd option would be Brown. All these players (+Tatum) are way more versatile shot creators than Brown. I bet we'd be mostly using Brown as a 3+D wing in the half court, although he'd still be our best player in the open court (or 2nd best if we sign LaVine).

I also think that we'd have a decent chance to acquire one of Beal, Kawhi, Butler, LaVine or Randle. Personally speaking, I'd only be interested in Kawhi and Beal.