Free at the end of last season, the two international tricolors found a taker at the opening of the transfer window of the NBA, the “free agency”.
New start for Evan Fournier. After Denver (2012-14), Orlando (2014-21) and a short stint in Boston during the second part of the 2020-21 fiscal year, the 28-year-old French international, free at the end of the past season, said yes to a four-year, $ 78 million contract in New York City. The fourth year has a team option. Information fromESPN, confirmed by the agents of the Frenchman, currently at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with the France team and who turned at 19.7 points and 3.7 assists with the Magic at the start of last season (26 matches), before d be traded with the Celtics, the best averages of his career.
A Frenchman can hide another at Madison Square Garden, since Frank Ntilikina played with the Knicks in recent years. The 23-year-old point guard, also at the Olympics, was released this summer. One thing is certain: Fournier is likely to enjoy the madness of New York, he who has also produced several boxes at the Garden.
His personality should allow him to resist the incredible pressure of the “basketball mecca”. And this as the Knicks began an interesting turn last season, in the offices and on the bench first, then on the field, around Julius Randle (MIP this year), RJ Barrett and the others, with a first accession to the play-offs in seven seasons, under the orders of Tom Thibodeau. “NYC” also extended former MVP Derrick Rose ($ 43M over 3 years), Nerlens Noel ($ 32M over 3 years) and Alex Burks ($ 30M over 3 years).
Batum, the loyalty card
Another member of the France team was at the end of his contract, the captain of the Blues, Nicolas Batum. At 32, the former Portland player found a smile last season with the Clippers, after dark hours in Charlotte’s closet. “They trusted me from day one. They allowed me to be a player again, to be myself. I enjoyed playing basketball again and in a winning team, which played for somethingBatum relished a few weeks ago, singing the praises of his trainer in LA, Ty Lue. Courted by several clubs, including Golden State, “Batman” chose to continue the adventure at Staples Center.
Shams Charania de The Athletic and Stadium reports that the Frenchman, author of a season with 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in Los Angeles, has agreed with the Clips for a two-year contract. “I have had an extraordinary season. Statistically, it’s not crazy. But to regain this confidence, this pleasure… What the Clippers and especially Ty Lue have done for me this year, it’s really great», Added Nicolas Batum, who therefore played the loyalty card. Note that the second year of his future contract will be accompanied by a player option. We do not yet know the amount of the “deal”.
Heading for Italy
A good thing done for Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum, who will be able to tackle the next deadlines with the Blues with a free spirit. Although, in view of their performances since the start of the Olympic Games, they were not particularly concerned … Fournier, Batum and their little comrades face Italy this Tuesday, in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games (10:20 am, live commented) . If successful, they would challenge Slovenia in the semi-finals on Thursday. The final of the Olympic tournament is scheduled for next Saturday.
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