After Evan Fournier showcased his shooting Saturday night, the Knicks guard got a hardy endorsement — and words of advice — from a fellow Frenchman who is helping the Knicks guard navigate a “disrespectful” situation.
“He’s the best shooter on the team. He’s the best shooter on the Knicks,” Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves center and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, told The Post. “In terms of pure 3-point shooting, I think he’s the best.
“I think he can contribute and help a lot of teams. I think everybody knows it. But it’s kind of weird when you end up on the bench and you don’t really know why. Sometimes you can be stuck in a situation — I know he’s going to have an opportunity again, and everybody will understand that he can help and win. And do it at a high level. And do it every night.”
Fournier wanted — and expected — a trade after getting pulled from the Knicks rotation early last season. Beyond the 30-year-old’s concerns over wasting his prime on the bench, Fournier felt communication with Tom Thibodeau was lacking.
Apparently the dialogue has improved — “I think it’s better now,” Gobert said — and Fournier has received extended playing time in the opening two preseason contests. In Saturday’s loss to the T-Wolves, Fournier dropped 15 points in 19 minutes, giving him a team-leading six 3s in preseason.
Keeping in mind these are only exhibitions, Fournier’s 40 combined minutes represent the first time he’s played that much in consecutive NBA games since October 2022. He collected 55 healthy DNPs last season and acknowledged disdain for the situation.
“It’s unfortunate that it feels disrespectful. When things go that way and communication is not where he’d like it to be with his coach. But I think it’s better now — hopefully,” said Gobert, who was teammates with Fournier on France’s national team at the Olympics and FIBA World Cup. “And he looked great [Saturday night]. I know it’s going to be all right. And if it’s not here, it’s somewhere else. So if they don’t value him, I know there’s a lot of other teams that would take him on. And I know he’s a winner. He’s a great teammate. He keeps putting in the work. And I know he always will. Good things will happen.”
Despite the recent push, it remains unlikely Fournier will crack the regular rotation. His defense was a big reason for the benching and the Knicks have been outscored by 20 points with Fournier on the court in the preseason. On media day, Thibodeau essentially declared the Knicks were better without Fournier by presenting the team’s record and net rating as evidence.
Fournier, who owns the Knicks’ record for 3-pointers in a season, is clearly not convinced.
“I’m a good player. I can f–king play,” Fournier said during training camp. “I bring stuff that this team doesn’t have, too.”
For the Knicks, who are stacked with guards, Fournier’s $19 million expiring contract is a means toward matching salaries in a trade. They don’t want to unload him for nothing or attach assets, which is why he’s still on the roster.
And if these preseason appearances are serving as a trade showcase, the rest of the NBA can see that Fournier can still shoot.
“We talked before the season. I told him I know it’s going to be hard sometimes but you got to control what you can control. Still find your happiness in the work you do every day and communicate with coach,” Gobert said. “Try to understand what he needs from you to try to do better. And then the only thing you can do is come in and do your best everyday. I know he can help a team win. That I know, 100 percent.”
