Dallas Mavericks: 3 Difference-making free agents

Evan Fournier, SG, Orlando Magic

Key Stats:
31.5 Minutes Per Game
18.5 Points Per Game
2.6 Rebounds Per Game
3.2 Assists Per Game
1.1 Steals Per Game
46.7% Field Goal Percentage
39.9% 3-pt Field Goal Percentage

There might be no bigger reason to sign Evan Fournier than the fact he’s French meaning another European gets added to the starting lineup. However, if you don’t care about the Mavericks diversity, Fournier is a pretty good basketball player. One might say he’s an upgrade over current starting shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr and he comes at a marginally cheaper price.

Both Hardaway Jr and Fournier can both accept their player options this season; Hardaway makes $700 thousand more than Fournier. Last season, Fournier had more points, assists per game steals per game, and a higher field-goal percentage. In addition, Fournier averaged one three-point shot less per game than Hardaway Jr meaning Fournier was way more efficient from inside the three-point arc.

Fournier played shooting guard and small forward for the Magic last season. (54 percent at SG, 46 percent at SF) The versatility he provides with being a wing player is important as the Mavericks were really thin with their wing depth last season. In Fournier’s best seasons, he played a lot at small forward. In guard-heavy lineups, Fournier can stretch the floor as a small forward and even as a stretch 4.

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If Dallas were to replace Hardaway Jr with Fournier, a lineup of Luka Doncic, Evan Fournier, Dorian FInney-Smith, Dwight Powell, and Kristaps Porzingis could match the offensive output from last season while marginally improving on defense. When staggering minutes with the bench, Rick Carlisle could move Fournier to small forward. This would allow Jalen Brunson and Seth Curry to play both guard spots alongside Fournier.

The versatility of Fournier can stop Dallas from trying to overvalue a true “3&D” wing player this offseason. Fournier has been more consistent over the course of his career and his height provides more matchup issues than Tim Hardaway Jr. Did I mention his price tag?

Dallas is going to be fun to watch next season because of the growth of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The additional pieces they add to the team can elevate this dynamic duo and make this team a championship contender bringing an endless amount of joy to the greater Dallas/Fort-Worth area.