How NBA’s Rising Stars remember Kobe

Evan Fournier’s second season with the New York Knicks has been a frustrating one. He’s appeared in only 20 games and was removed from the rotation in mid-November.

Fournier has only played when New York has been down other guards and wings. That’s now where Fournier wants to be at this point in his career.

“Best-case scenario, I want to stay here. I want to play here,” he said. “I had a bunch of different choices in free agency, and I wanted to be a Knick. I love New York. I wanted to play for (Tom Thibodeau). So, I’d love to stay, but I’d love to play.”

Fournier is owed $18 million this season, $18.8 million next season, before the Knicks hold a $19 million team option for 2024-25. That makes trading the veteran wing a tricky proposition. And asking for a trade isn’t something Fournier wants to do, but he knows he can still help a team on the court.

“I’m in the best shape of my career. I should be in my prime. I am in my prime,” he said. “You want to play, for sure. Especially as a competitor. It’s not like I forgot how to play. Last year I had a different role and somehow, I was able to break a 30-year-old franchise record. So, I am going to find a way to adapt to any situation.”

The Los Angeles Lakers are not interested in pursuing Kyrie Irving in free agency, sources tell Tim Cato of The Athletic.

In order to acquire Irving, the Lakers would have to sacrifice several of their deadline acquisitions that have allowed them to balance out their roster.

Irving attended the Lakers’ Game 6 win over the Memphis Grizzlies and sat courtside.

Sources say the Dallas Mavericks remain optimistic of their chances of re-signing Irving. Rival teams also expect that scenario to be the most likely one. Despite missing out on the play-in, the Mavericks believe Irving and Luka Doncic can be a successful pairing.

The Mavericks began to conceptualize the possibility of acquiring Irving last November when he was suspended for refusing to apologize for posting a film with antisemitic views to his social media. The front office saw it as an opportunity to acquire a player at a lower cost than is typical for a player of Irving’s ability.