Why is Evan Fournier leaving the NBA? Reason behind Pistons guard's exit explored

Evan Fournier is leaving the NBA and will return to Europe to continue his basketball career. Fournier will sign a two-year deal worth over $4 million with Olympiacos of the Euroleague, the team announced on Monday afternoon.

"AE Olympiacos announces the acquisition of Evan Fournier. Welcome to OlympiacosBC @EvanFourmizz," the team wrote.

Fournier was traded from the New York Knicks to the Detroit Pistons during last season's trade deadline. The Pistons declined his $19 million option this offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Reports last week indicated Evan Fournier was strongly considering a return to Europe after a strong Olympic run with France in late July into early August.

Fournier averaged 9.8 points, 2.2 assists and 1.7 rebounds in the Olympics, helping France to a silver medal finish.

While staying in the NBA was reportedly still his priority, the main reason behind Fournier's return to Europe was likely his diminishing role with teams in the NBA. The 31-year-old appeared in just 32 games last season, notching 18.1 minutes per game for the Knicks and Pistons.

This was Evan Fournier's second-straight season averaging under 20 mpg, as he notched just 17.0 minutes per contest in 27 games for the Knicks in 2022-23.

Fournier's dwindling role in the NBA likely made a return overseas a more enticing option, as Olympiacos is now structured to compete for a Euroleague championship right away.

Fournier played 12 seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. Fournier averaged 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his time in the association.

Evan Fournier announces Olympiacos signing with X post from 2022

Landing a former NBA star is a big draw for any European team, let alone a European star making his return to Europe.

Evan Fournier last played overseas in the 2011-12 season, appearing in 30 games for Poitiers Basket 86 of the LNB Pro A league. The 19-year-old was regarded as a phenom around the overseas basketball landscape, landing in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft.

In his final season for Poitiers, Fournier led the team in scoring with 14.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists as one of the club's youngest members.

Now nearly 13 years later, he took to X to announce his return to European basketball.

Fournier quoted a tweet he made back in 2022 that translates to,

"If one day I had to return to Europe and I had the choice to go wherever I wanted, I think I would go to Olympiacos. It's still a hell of a club."

Fournier made true to his promise, as he will return to Europe for the 2024-25 season. He will also reunite with Moustapha Fall, his former teammate at Poitiers in France.