Fournier off to fast start with Magic

ORLANDO (NBA) - There were some fans in Orlando who wondered if the Magic management knew what it was doing when trading Arron Afflalo back to Denver this summer for Evan Fournier of France.

Afflalo had shown all-star potential in 2013-14, averaging more than 18 points in 35 minutes per game in his seventh NBA season, while Fournier had just a couple of years in the league under his belt.

Fournier, a 2.00m shooting guard who only turned 22 a couple of weeks ago, was just cutting his teeth in the league.

Not long after the deal which had come just hours before the NBA Draft, Magic coach Jacque Vaughn made it clear he had big plans for the Frenchman.

"What he does is he gives us another ball-handler, which is huge," Vaughn said. 

"Evan can play pick-and-roll. You see from his stats this past year he can shoot the basketball, so he’ll create some space for us as well. 

"He’s another guy that can get an outlet pass and has a good basketball IQ to make the right decision."

How has the deal worked out so far?

The Saint-Maurice native, who gained invaluable experience with France’s national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup while helping Vincent Collet’s team win the bronze medal, has been sensational for the Magic.

In seven games, Fournier has played an average of 32.7 minutes per game and averaged 16ppg while burying 50 percent (13 of 26) of his attempts from the arc.

Fournier is not only catching the ball off screens and shooting jumpers but, just as Vaughn stated at the time of the trade, creating his own shot.

He’s made the club look as if it may have pulled off a coup when bringing him to the Magic Kingdom.

"I was really excited to get traded here," Fournier said. 

"When I talked to Jacque, I knew he would let me handle more responsibilities than I did in Denver. 

"And that’s what I like to do. I’m not just a catch-and-shoot guy. I’m a basketball player."

The Magic were going after a third straight victory on Sunday when they squared off against Brooklyn and Fournier had 19 points on six of nine shooting from the floor.

He also had five assists but the Nets prevailed, 104-96.

Fournier and the Magic will be back in action on Tuesday night when they meet Toronto in the Air Canada Centre.

FIBA