The Detroit Pistons made a significant move on Wednesday that might not help them turn around their disappointing 2023-24 season but could help them be a better team in the long run. According to multiple reports, the Pistons acquired forward Simone Fontecchio in a trade with the Utah Jazz.
Playing in his second season in the NBA, Fontecchio established himself as a valuable role player. He is averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting a respectable 39.1% from behind the arc.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that in order to get Fontecchio, the Pistons parted with a second-round pick via Washington Wizards in 2024, forward Kevin Knox, and draft rights to Gabriele Procida.
Fontecchio reportedly had plenty of suitors as the NBA trade deadline approached, but the Pistons ended up putting the best offer forward. The Jazz gets an early second-rounder, considering the Wizards are almost certain to finish the season as one of the worst teams in the NBA while also getting some financial flexibility thanks to Knox’s expiring contract.
The Pistons, on the other hand, see Fontecchio as a mainstay piece in their rotations for years to come. The 28-year-old player will be a restricted free agent in the summer, meaning that the Pistons will have the possibility to retain him even if he ends up deciding to sign a contract with another team.
