The Knicks’ roster may or may not be set.
That could depend on what they plan to do with Evan Fournier and his expiring $18.9 million contract.
In Fournier, a veteran sharpshooter who fell out of favor this past season early on due to his defensive limitations, team president Leon Rose has the ability to create salary-cap space to add a backup power forward without surpassing the luxury-tax apron.
The capped-out Knicks left themselves thin up front with Saturday’s trade of former lottery pick Obi Toppin to the Pacers.
But they may not want to rush moving Fournier either, since that salary could be key in matching up money if a major trade presents itself.
It is the one significant question left in this offseason for the Knicks.
What to do with Fournier?
He was a good soldier after being replaced by Quentin Grimes, repeatedly praised by coach Tom Thibodeau for his professionalism.
But his future clearly isn’t in the orange and blue.
Fournier, who set a franchise record for most made 3-pointers in a season in 2021-22 with 241, said as much after the Knicks were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Heat.
“There’s no way they’re going to keep me. I would be very surprised if they did,” the 30-year-old Frenchman said at the time. “So we’ll see. It’s obviously not in my hands.”
The Knicks are trying to do right by Fournier, and find him a proper new home, Newsday recently reported.
Expiring contracts are more attractive now under the new collective bargaining agreement, as teams look to avoid the luxury tax.
One potential solution for the Knicks, proposed by The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, was sending Fournier to the Spurs where he could serve as a mentor to countryman and generational talent Victor Wembanyama.
But they may not be in a rush to deal Fournier since his close to $20 million salary could be vital if a major trade presents itself.
By landing Donte DiVincenzo on a four-year, $50 million deal on Saturday, the Knicks created a glut on their roster of guards and smallish wings, which could pave the way for a trade for someone like OG Anunoby of the Raptors.
DiVincenzo’s presence makes dealing Grimes or Immanuel Quickley easier, since the Knicks would be trading from a position of strength.
And there’s no telling who may become available, as different teams discuss trades with the 76ers for James Harden — the Knicks are reportedly one interested party — and Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard.
The Knicks are undersized, and if they go into next year status quo, they would be extremely thin up front.
While Josh Hart and RJ Barrett played power forward on occasion last year out of necessity, and Jericho Sims was even used at that spot in a two-big lineup with Isaiah Hartenstein, Thibodeau’s team would be lacking a true backup for Julius Randle, who will be coming off arthroscopic left ankle surgery.
Toppin at least was an insurance policy for Randle, limited as the Brooklyn native may have been.
Moving Fournier’s salary would enable the Knicks to at least find another body up front.
Complicating matters, however, is Thibodeau seems to be in favor of a nine-man rotation, so if the Knicks did add a player, they may not have a role barring injury or an additional move.
There are obviously moving parts to this, different possibilities Rose and his front office have to consider as they decide what to do with Fournier.
The high-priced shotmaker is unlikely to be a Knick next year. But the franchise may be wise not to rush trading him as it waits to see what options are available.
