Evan Fournier would be intriguing Cavs trade target, but there’s a lot to it

Fournier could help the Cavs, but there’s a number of factors to consider here

Fournier, who is a polished shooter, and can make plays both off the catch/as a spacer and off movement, has connected on 39.4 percent from three this season with the Knicks, and in the past two seasons, he’s knocked in 39.9 and 38.8 percent from three with the Orlando Magic. The latter was before that Boston deal for him; he’s had 18.5 points and 19.7 points per game the past two seasons with Orlando, but only 13.0 and 13.7 with Boston and New York, for context.

For the Cavaliers, should they consider this hypothetical, I’d expect Fournier to slot in at the starting 2 or 3, with him potentially there when Lauri Markkanen is back from a high ankle sprain, or with Markkanen perhaps being a supersub-type player.

Either way, Fournier’s shooting presence would be what the Cavaliers are looking for here, and he could be a valuable spacer, to help provide more room for Cleveland’s bigs, and he’d a knockdown catch-and-shoot option.

He’s also a viable pick-and-roll scorer in the pull-up game, and can get to floaters and occasional drives to counter hard closeouts. And his cutting feel as a veteran could mesh well with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and others.

Additionally, Fournier has had his share of postseason experience with Orlando, which could help ease pressure on Cleveland’s young guys perhaps this season and beyond. I don’t discount that.

Taking all of that into account, though, would it be with for the Cavs to strongly consider bringing in Fournier, who will have three years left on his deal, albeit with the 2024-25 season a club option?

Cleveland being hesitant potentially is reasonable in this case, even with the team option in Fournier’s fourth season on his current deal. He’s a rock solid player that could be both a valuable spacer/movement shooter and can be a capable shot creator and pick-and-roll scorer that can be a decent secondary playmaker, but would Fournier affect Cleveland’s chemistry?

That’s something to ponder, and if the Cavs look to bring Collin Sexton back, which they seemingly want to, what’s the role outlook for him, along with potentially Isaac Okoro looking onward?

Anyhow, while it’s uncertain if the Cavaliers would have potential interest in pursuing Fournier, and it’s not clear what his market value is, I do acknowledge the 29-year-old could help Cleveland in coming years in a number of ways, if he stays healthy.

But there’s a lot to this, as we touched on, and I’d probably be more interested in Terrence Ross, Kyle Anderson, or maybe even Buddy Hield, and definitely Barnes. That’s in the sense with future years being involved for trade targets.