The Washington Wizards were active in rebuilding their roster this offseason. They had three first-round draft picks to build their young core and signed Jonas Valanciunas in free agency. The Wizards hope Alex Sarr becomes their centerpiece after selecting him second overall in the 2024 draft, but Washington was clearly not afraid to upgrade their roster.
They are rebuilding. Fans should not expect the Wizards to make a dramatic improvement this season. They will be back in the lottery after a year filled with development. Washington has added the veterans to help the young talent flourish. Learning from an experienced veteran is beneficial.
Evan Fournier left the NBA this summer to sign with Olympiacos. The 12-year veteran proved he could be impactful as he helped France win the silver medal at the Olympics. Fournier had a shot to stay, but he declined because his heart wanted a larger role in Europe.
Evan Fournier turns down Wizards after interest in free agency
The 31-year-old declined a two-year offer from Washington because he did not want to be a veteran on a rebuilding NBA team. Fournier wanted to compete for a championship and his only opportunity was in Europe. This all came from a French interview, which dropped on Sept. 5.
Fournier struggled to get off the Knicks bench the last two years but closed last season playing an 18-minute per game role in Detroit. The 6’6 wing had an eight-year run where he averaged 15.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steal in 31.2 minutes per game. He played a key role as a plus-shooter and scorer on four playoff teams and remains a key piece of the French National Team.
Two of the Wizards' crucial building blocks are French. Fournier would have mentored Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly in the nation’s capital and could have helped them blossom into stars. Understandably, he wanted more playing time and a chance to win titles as he returned to Europe, but turning down the chance to mentor two of his countrymen likely was not easy.
Fans may have seen the last of Evan Fournier in the NBA. He will play a crucial role for Olympiacos in Greece this season, and the 31-year-old likely has multiple productive years left. Expect to see him spacing the floor and hitting shots in the EuroLeague.
The Washington Wizards will be left thinking about what could have been. Their focus is on development and the future. Evan Fournier did not want to be a part of that, but both sides may soon regret it.