Can Evan Fournier Crack the Knicks Rotation this Year?

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At the beginning of last season Evan Fournier was the starting shooting guard for the New York Knicks. By the end of the season he was completely out of the rotation and expected to be traded by the start of this year. The Knicks have not found a formidable suitor however, so Fournier remains on the Knicks roster. Fournier did not live up to expectations last season as he was one of the worst defenders on the team and he also was struggling with his 3 point shot which is normally the best part of his game. Fournier averaged only 30% from 3 last season which was by far the lowest number of his career. With these struggles Tom Thibodeau had no choice but to bench Fournier.

Fournier has come into this preseason with a vengeance; wanting to prove to the Knicks and the league that he is absolutely still a viable rotation piece. In Forunier’s first preseason game he scored 11 points while shooting 43% from three. In his second game he averaged 15 while shooting 50% from three. These numbers are exactly the type of numbers that the Knicks expected last season but didn’t get. If Fournier can consistently prove that he is still a reliable option from three then it isn’t unlikely that Thibs experiments with Fournier getting minutes. The Knicks biggest struggle during last year's postseason was their inability to hit threes. Having Fournier as an option to be a knock down shooter could come in handy and could lead to Founrier getting minutes when the Knicks need some 3 point shooting.