Magic guard Evan Fournier reportedly plans to exercise player option for next season

The question on where Orlando Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier might be playing next season apparently has been answered.

Fournier plans to exercise his player option for the 2020-21 season, revealing one piece of the Magic’s offseason puzzle, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic. Charania reports that Fournier will exercise the $17 million option on Monday.

Fournier averaged 18.5 points per game as he put together one of the best offensive seasons of his career in helping Orlando reach the playoffs for the second straight season. Before the coronavirus pandemic sent the league’s financial future into flux, Fournier appeared a likely candidate to pass on his player option and try his hand at free agency, considering the kind of season he was having. However, the salary cap did not increase for 2020-21 amid the pandemic, leaving fewer teams in positions to spend in free agency. A subpar performance in the playoffs also likely diminished Fournier’s stock somewhat.

Fournier started in each of the 66 games he played last season for the Magic. In addition to his scoring clip, he averaged 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.5 minutes per game. He shot 46.7% overall and 39.9% from the 3-point line.

Fournier signed his current five-year contract in 2016.

Magic forward James Ennis also has a player option for the 2020-21 season.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com

rparry@orlandosentinel.com

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