With the 2024 NBA trade deadline just days away, the Detroit Pistons add a sharpshooter to their young core.
Days before the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Detroit Pistons struck another move. This time, acquiring sharpshooter Simone Fontecchio from the Utah Jazz, in exchange for Kevin Knox, a 2024 second-round pick, and draft rights to Gabriele Procida. According to ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons traded for him as part of their longer-term core. One of the youngest rosters in the NBA, Detroit has an average age of 24.87 before the trade.
For the draft pick, Detroit will send the most favorable of either Washington or Memphis second-round picks in this year's draft. This means Utah is likely to land a strong pick in return.
The move comes after Detroit acquired Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala from the Washington Wizards, in exchange for Margin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks back in January. After a historic 28-game losing streak, it appears the Pistons are strategically planning for the future.
The Utah Jazz are trading Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons for a 2024 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024
Simone Fontecchio, 28, is in his second year in the NBA. Undrafted in 2017, the Italian swingman played for several teams overseas before signing a two-way contract with the Jazz in 2022. Earning his way as a starter, the Italian native is averaging career-highs in points (8.9), steals (.6), blocks (.4), rebounds (3.5), assists (1.5), and minutes per game (23.2). In addition, No. 16 has shot far more efficiently from deep, at 39.1 percent. In 102 career games, he's averaged 7.6 points, 1.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds, on 36.3 percent three-point shooting, and 41.2 percent from the floor.
Fontecchio will be a restricted free agent this summer
A popular player in Utah, Fontecchio earned his way into the starting lineup, earning the nod in 34 of 50 games played this season. Putting up a season high of 24 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 14, he finished the night shooting 100 % from the three-point line.
Emerging as a trade target for quite some time, the forward was linked previously to the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns as potential suitors. Any trade made sense, since Fontecchio is in the final year of his $3.1 million contract annually. Given he is a restricted free agent this upcoming summer, Detroit will retain their rights to negotiate with the forward, if they please.
Detroit is 3-7 in their last ten games and hold the worst win percentage in the NBA (.122) at 6-43 on the season. Ironically enough, an Italian native, Fontecchio will now play at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. A 6' 8 wing, Fontecchio has been a solid rotational and catch and shoot player for Utah. Averaging 9.4 points on 38 percent three-point shooting over his last ten games, he brings spacing to Detroit. Especially with younger players, such as center Jalen Duren, it will help with their spacing problem.
Svegliati, Italia! SIMONEFONTECCHIO is 𝙳𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 🤌#TakeNote | @simofonte13 pic.twitter.com/zgGHS3EhgW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2024
Simone Fontecchio brings much needed offense to Detroit
He will join a Pistons roster, led by Monty Williams, they have certainly had their growing pains. Led by point guard Cade Cunningham, he will likely have a bench role behind Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and Jalen Duren. All when healthy, this is the potential starting lineup.
Not only is Simone Fontecchio an effective shooter, but he also proved his perimeter defense in 50 games this season. With his size and length, the former Jazz was often tasked with guarding some of the top opponent defenders.
Although it made sense for him to land on a championship contending team, he will add some much-needed offense to Detroit, who own the 24th worst three-point percentage in the NBA (35.6). In addition, the Pistons only put up 112.6 points per game, which is the 8th worst in the league, and allow 122.5 opponent points per game, which puts them in the basement.
Knox, 24, is with his fourth team since drafted by the New York Knicks as the no. 9 pick overall in the 2018 draft. His second stint with the Pistons, he's averaging 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, on 46.2 shooting from the floor. While he hasn't averaged points in double figures since his rookie season, he will most likely have to fight for playing time.
The Pistons will face off against the Sacramento Kings on the road tonight, following a three-game losing streak. The Jazz, who are coming off an impressive victory over the Thunder, will next play the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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