Knicks guard Evan Fournier claps back on lack of playing time: ‘I’m a good player. I can (bleeping) play’

Knicks guard Evan Fournier is not in coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation and there’s no indication he will be anytime soon.

And like any competitor, Fournier is frustrated by his lack of playing time. During training camp on Saturday in Charleston, S.C., he clapped back at his role.

“To be honest — I might be dreaming — but to me, I can help the team,” he told reporters. “I’m a good player. I can (bleeping) play. I can bring stuff that this team doesn’t have, too. I have hope to play.”

The problem for Fournier -- who is owed about $19 million this season -- is that he’s not a good defender and, thus, isn’t a favorite for Thibodeau. Per Statmuse.com, Fournier’s career defensive rating is 112.0 -- which isn’t good.

Fournier began last season as the team’s starting shooting guard but was soon replaced by Cam Reddish and, ultimately, Quentin Grimes. Fournier was eventually relegated to the bench as the Knicks made a run to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“I didn’t come into (last) season thinking we were going to do the things that we did. We did it because we didn’t have success one way,” Thibodeau said during training cap, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “So, we adjusted and then the next group that went in, it’s hard to argue with (a) 37-22 (record) with a plus-5 net rating. So, it is what it is.”

The 30-year-old Frenchman averaged 6.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 33.7 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from three-point range last season.

Still, Fournier believes he can still help the team, despite the fact that there are several guards and wings ahead of him, including Jalen Brunson, Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, newcomer Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.

“Maybe Thibs has already made up his mind and stuff, but my goal is to put him in a position where he has to think about playing me,” Fournier said Saturday, per the Post.

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Fournier told a French radio station last month he feels like he’s being “held hostage” in New York.

Fournier said he never considered holding out the way Jae Crowder did last season before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks from the Phoenix Suns.

“You know I’ve never liked guys — I don’t want to call him out, but what Jae Crowder did last year, that’s not the smart approach,” Fournier said. “When you’re under contract, you have to honor your contract. You build chemistry with guys. You’re trying to just stay with the team, man, and what’s better: to work with the team or work on your own? I’m not so sure that’s the smart approach.”

The Knicks will likely use his $19 million expiring contract as a trade chip, with names like New Jersey native Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid of the Sixers and Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers mentioned by the Post.

For now, Fournier plans to try to make life difficult for Thibodeau, but that be hard to do from the bench. The Knicks open the preseason Monday against the Celtics.

“He’s a true pro,” Thibodeau said. “So he came in just doing all the things he should do.”