Evan Fournier chooses playing and competing in Europe over mentoring young Wizards

According to French sports publication L'Equipe, Evan Fournier turned down a two-year contract offer from the Wizards in order to join Olympiacos, a top team in the EuroLeague, in Greece. This decision was reported by Maxime Aubin (credit to Hoop Rumors).

Evan Fournier said he was offered a 2 years contract with the Wizards in NBA, but he wasn’t interested in a “mentoring role” with the youngsters, “in a losing team”.

Added he wants to “compete” in Europe and “enjoy playing basketball again”.

Reported by @lequipe &…

— Maxime Aubin (@MaximeAubin1) September 4, 2024

Look at Fournier's welcome in Greece and you can see why he made the call.

.⁦@Olympiacos_BC⁩ ❤️‍ pic.twitter.com/EB8MQk23Nf

— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) September 4, 2024

The money as a top European player and the veteran minimum contract the Wizards offered should be similar, and if that's the case of course he chose getting on the court and playing for something meaningful. After a dozen years in the NBA, Fournier was ready for a change.

He's in a place where he gets to enjoy playing again. For an aging player, that matters a lot.