Magic's Fournier: Signing extension before deadline 'would be awesome'
Orlando Magic shooting guard Evan Fournier would love to agree to terms on a contract extension with the franchise before the deadline comes and goes, though it's not his No. 1 priority at the moment.
"It would be awesome, it would be awesome," Fournier said at Orlando's media day, according to Pinstriped Post's Evan Dunlap. "But to be honest, I don't even think about it. That's not in my power. That's not in my hands. I'm focused on being healthy and being back on the court. But yeah, it would be awesome."
Members of the 2012 draft class are eligible to sign their extensions prior to Oct. 31. Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (five years, $145 million) and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers (five years, $125 million) have already secured their long-term futures with their respective squads.
Fournier, 22, won't come close to that kind of payday, although putting ink to paper on an extension in the next month would provide him peace of mind and job security.
In 58 games last season, Fournier put up career-high averages in points (12), assists (2.1), and minutes played (28.6) per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from behind the arc. His averages have steadily improved each year he's been in the league, although they may not warrant an early commitment from the Magic.
Should his numbers continue to spike and his role continue to expand in 2015-16, Orlando could be more inclined to sign Fournier when he hits restricted free agency.
Fournier is expected to miss the first two weeks of training camp after injuring his ankle during the bronze-medal game of the EuroBasket tournament.