Thibodeau dismissed Fournier’s complaints with statistics.
Asked about the Frenchman’s public discontent with his role, Thibodeau said that the veteran guard’s benching last season was simply a matter of winning over losing.
“I didn’t come into [last] season thinking we were going to do the things that we did. We did it because we didn’t have success one way. So, we adjusted,” Thibodeau said. “And then the next group that went in, it’s hard to argue with 37-22 [while Fournier was mostly out of the rotation] and a plus-5 net rating. So, it is what it is.
“Your job is to stay ready. So whatever you’re doing, go out there and do it. Be part of the team.”
Fournier was benched early last season for Grimes, logging just 27 games while averaging 17 minutes, 6.1 points and shooting just 33 percent.
The Knicks, who finished 47-35, started 3-4 with Fournier in the lineup and were 6-7 before he was pulled from the rotation.
They went 37-45 in 2021-22 with Fournier as the starting shooting guard.
Fournier kept his unhappiness largely quiet until the offseason, when he told French outlet L’Equipe, “You want to spit on everyone, you have hatred.”
His $19 million expiring contract is a potentially valuable asset in a trade, which is why the Knicks have kept him on the roster.
A source said Fournier’s reps tried to work towards a trade in the summer but the Knicks clearly didn’t find a match to their liking.
Dame Lillard and Jrue Holiday were recently shipped in blockbusters to Milwaukee and Boston, respectively.
It’s tough to see a pathway to playing time this season for Fournier.
He is behind at least six other guards and wings in the rotation: Brunson, Quickley, Grimes, DiVincenzo, Barrett, Hart.
“We’ll see. He’s part of the team,” Thibodeau said of Fournier. “Be a pro, and see how it unfolds.”