NBA Trade News: Knicks Ironically Acquire Ex-Celtics Backcourt To Reunite With Walker

The New York Knicks have added another familiar name in the mix in Evan Fournier.

The 28-year-old swingman was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, August 17.

Fournier was officially introduced by the Knicks in a press conference, ironically alongside another ex-Celtic in Kemba Walker.

Walker was originally traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder by the Celtics back in June but was waived earlier this month.

Details of his contract with the Knicks have yet to be officially revealed. However, Jack Fischer of the Bleacher Report claimed the four-time All-Star will be offered an $8 million average annual salary.

Fournier, on the other hand, will be on a four-year deal with the Knicks worth about $78 million. The fourth year of his contract will be a team option.

“We identified Evan as a key addition as we entered free agency and are ecstatic that he’s joining us,” New York Knicks president Leon Rose stated. “He’s a great teammate, a fierce competitor, and a perfect complement to our returning players. He wants to be a part of what we are building here, and we are happy to have him join our family.”

Fournier played 16 regular-season games with the Celtics after he was acquired from the Orlando Magic in March, norming 13 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 29.5 minutes of action.

He improved his numbers in the playoffs, averaging 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per outing.

For the Celtics, the sign-and-trade gives them a $17.1 million traded player exception (TPE) that they can use until the summer of 2022.

Given they are already stacked for the 2021-22 NBA season, Boston is likely to save that for available talent next summer.

Boston is already up against the salary cap with its current roster but should have more flexibility next offseason.

The Celtics previously added Kris Dunn and Dennis Schroder to their lineup to address their backcourt void.