Overpriced former Boston Celtics guard flipped for former MVP in mock proposal

The Boston Celtics dodged a bullet when the New York Knicks decided to hand Evan Fournier $73 million to their unrestricted free agent during the 2021 offseason — this after he proved to be less of a contributor upon being traded by an Orlando Magic team that had shifted from competing to rebuilding midway through the 2020-21 season.

Fournier was thrust into the C’s starting lineup due to a wrist injury to Jaylen Brown that would keep him out of the 2021 postseason and he ended up with lowest scoring numbers since his first season in Orlando. That he had a full season serving as the starter in the ‘Big Apple’ and still marginally surpassed his Boston totals speaks well to Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens’ discipline not to overspend.

Knicks President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose has no such filter, having handed out the Fournier albatross, giving Julius Randle $117 million after one All-Star season, and handing out $220 million to Jalen Brunson and R.J. Barrett this offseason.

Well, since Rose has spent himself silly in his several offseasons in charge of the Knicks, he could be looking to make amends with his financial mistakes soon. SNY’s David Vertsberger came up with this mock trade to rectify them and add draft picks to New York’s cupboard:

The Boston Celtics could be a potential beneficiary of this Russell Westbrook Knicks trade

If the Knicks were to take on the expiring $47 million contract of Russell Westbrook, they almost certainly wouldn’t be looking to keep him considering the presence of Jalen Brunson, Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, and Miles McBride in NY’s backcourt.

Westbrook on the Knicks with Kevin Durant across the East River in Brooklyn would be incredible for the New York sports back-pages and tabloids alike, but it isn’t something that is realistic even if the 2016-17 regular season MVP landed with NYK.

The more likely scenario would be a buyout, and in that case, Westbrook would have to be considered for the second unit in the same vein the team deployed Dennis Schroder a season ago. Remember, Schroder was on an expiring deal as well and was moved at the trade deadline once it was clear he couldn’t contribute to winning in the way Ime Udoka wanted.

If the same thing were to happen, there’d be an easy out: Boston could simply waive his likely minimum contract. To potentially replace Danilo Gallinari’s intended scoring for the C’s second unit with Westbrook’s explosive offense would be an unforeseen victory for a team that is already loaded in the backcourt but shouldn’t turn away a 9x All-Star willing to try and be the missing piece on a potential championship roster.