Basketball

Veteran guard Evan Fournier has made the surprising decision to leave the NBA after a noteworthy 12-year career, signing with Greek basketball powerhouse Olympiacos. Despite his considerable experience and past contributions, no NBA team extended an offer for a guaranteed contract, leading Fournier to pursue new opportunities in Europe.

After 12 seasons, Evan Fournier is exiting the NBA and signing a two-year, $4 million-plus deal with Euroleague club Olympiacos, per sources. Fournier averaged nearly 10 points in France's Silver Medal run at the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/ErFKwEJl0W

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 2, 2024

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, Fournier has secured a two-year contract with Olympiacos valued at over $4 million. This move marks a significant shift for the 31-year-old Frenchman, who had expressed a strong desire to remain in the NBA. However, the only interest he received was from overseas clubs, which ultimately led him to the Greek league.

Fournier’s departure from the NBA comes as a surprise to many basketball enthusiasts. Just last February, he was traded from the New York Knicks to the Detroit Pistons as part of a deal involving Bojan Bogdanovic. During the 2023/24 NBA season, Fournier appeared in 29 games for the Pistons, averaging 7.2 points per game over approximately 19 minutes of play. Despite these efforts, his performance did not meet the Pistons' expectations, resulting in the team’s decision to decline the $19 million team option on his contract for the 2024/25 season. This move made Fournier an unrestricted free agent and opened the door for his European adventure.

Fournier’s journey in professional basketball began in France before he made the leap to the NBA. He was selected as the 20th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 2012 NBA Draft. Over his career, he has also played for the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons, showcasing his versatility and skill across various teams.

His time with the Orlando Magic was particularly notable, as he garnered significant recognition and playing time. Fournier was known for his scoring ability, consistently averaging at least 15 points per game over six consecutive seasons. His peak came during the 2019/20 season when he averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game. By the end of his NBA career, Fournier had accumulated a career average of 14 points per game, with a 37 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc in 700 regular season games.

In addition to his NBA career, Fournier has been a standout performer for the French national team. His contributions were pivotal in securing silver medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. During the recently concluded Paris Olympic Basketball, Fournier averaged 9.8 points and 2.2 assists per game, playing a crucial role in France's run to the finals where they were ultimately defeated by Team USA.

Fournier’s transition to Olympiacos marks the end of an era in the NBA and the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Olympiacos, known for its competitive presence in European basketball, will benefit from his experience and skill set as they aim for success in the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.

As Fournier embarks on this new journey, basketball fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how his experience and prowess translate to European competition. His departure from the NBA is a reminder of the dynamic nature of professional sports, where players continually seek new challenges and opportunities throughout their careers.

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