With the 2024 NBA commerce deadline simply days away, the Detroit Pistons add a sharpshooter to their younger core.
Days earlier than the NBA commerce deadline approaches, the Detroit Pistons struck one other transfer. This time, buying sharpshooter Simone Fontecchio from the Utah Jazz, in change for Kevin Knox, a 2024 second-round choose, and draft rights to Gabriele Procida. In keeping with ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons traded for him as a part of their longer-term core. One of many youngest rosters within the NBA, Detroit has a mean age of 24.87 earlier than the commerce.
For the draft choose, Detroit will ship probably the most favorable of both Washington or Memphis second-round picks on this yr’s draft. This implies Utah is more likely to land a robust choose in return.
The transfer comes after Detroit acquired Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala from the Washington Wizards, in change for Margin Bagley III, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks again in January. After a historic 28-game shedding streak, it seems the Pistons are strategically planning for the long run.
The Utah Jazz are buying and selling Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons for a 2024 second-round choose, sources inform ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024
Simone Fontecchio, 28, is in his second yr within the NBA. Undrafted in 2017, the Italian swingman performed for a number of groups abroad earlier than signing a two-way contract with the Jazz in 2022. Incomes his approach as a starter, the Italian native is averaging career-highs in factors (8.9), steals (.6), blocks (.4), rebounds (3.5), assists (1.5), and minutes per sport (23.2). As well as, No. 16 has shot way more effectively from deep, at 39.1 p.c. In 102 profession video games, he is averaged 7.6 factors, 1.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds, on 36.3 p.c three-point capturing, and 41.2 p.c from the ground.
Fontecchio might be a restricted free agent this summer time
A well-liked participant in Utah, Fontecchio earned his approach into the beginning lineup, incomes the nod in 34 of fifty video games performed this season. Placing up a season excessive of 24 factors in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers on Dec. 14, he completed the evening capturing 100 % from the three-point line.
Rising as a commerce goal for fairly a while, the ahead was linked beforehand to the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns as potential suitors. Any commerce made sense, since Fontecchio is within the closing yr of his $3.1 million contract yearly. Given he’s a restricted free agent this upcoming summer time, Detroit will retain their rights to barter with the ahead, in the event that they please.
Detroit is 3-7 of their final ten video games and maintain the worst win proportion within the NBA (.122) at 6-43 on the season. Mockingly sufficient, an Italian native, Fontecchio will now play on the Little Caesars Enviornment in Detroit. A 6′ 8 wing, Fontecchio has been a strong rotational and catch and shoot participant for Utah. Averaging 9.4 factors on 38 p.c three-point capturing over his final ten video games, he brings spacing to Detroit. Particularly with youthful gamers, similar to middle Jalen Duren, it’s going to assist with their spacing drawback.
Svegliati, Italia! SIMONEFONTECCHIO is 𝙳𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 🤌#TakeNote | @simofonte13 pic.twitter.com/zgGHS3EhgW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2024
Simone Fontecchio brings a lot wanted offense to Detroit
He’ll be a part of a Pistons roster, led by Monty Williams, they’ve definitely had their rising pains. Led by level guard Cade Cunningham, he’ll seemingly have a bench position behind Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and Jalen Duren. All when wholesome, that is the potential beginning lineup.
Not solely is Simone Fontecchio an efficient shooter, however he additionally proved his perimeter protection in 50 video games this season. Together with his dimension and size, the previous Jazz was typically tasked with guarding a number of the prime opponent defenders.
Though it made sense for him to land on a championship contending crew, he’ll add some much-needed offense to Detroit, who personal the twenty fourth worst three-point proportion within the NBA (35.6). As well as, the Pistons solely put up 112.6 factors per sport, which is the eighth worst within the league, and permit 122.5 opponent factors per sport, which places them within the basement.
Knox, 24, is along with his fourth crew since drafted by the New York Knicks because the no. 9 choose general within the 2018 draft. His second stint with the Pistons, he is averaging 7.2 factors, 2.4 rebounds, on 46.2 capturing from the ground. Whereas he hasn’t averaged factors in double figures since his rookie season, he’ll most certainly need to struggle for taking part in time.
The Pistons will face off in opposition to the Sacramento Kings on the street tonight, following a three-game shedding streak. The Jazz, who’re coming off a formidable victory over the Thunder, will subsequent play the Phoenix Suns on Thursday evening.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides in Connecticut/NYC space together with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
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