Utah Jazz trade Simone Fontecchio to Pistons
The Utah Jazz have traded forward Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Kevin Knox and a 2024 second-round pick, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.
According to ESPN NBA analyst Zach Lowe, the second-round pick will be the most favorable of either Washington or Memphis’ seconds. Essentially, this will be a late first-round pick (which will likely be inside the top 33 or 34).
Fontecchio, 28, has drastically improved in his sophomore NBA season. He’s averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 45.0 percent shooting, including 39.1 percent from 3-point range on 4.7 3-point attempts.
He’s drastically improved as a spot-up threat, but he’s developed into a proficient rebounder and cutter playing off Utah’s backcourt of Collin Sexton and Keyonte George, among others. Now, he will do the same alongside Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes and Jaden Ivey.
The 28-year-old is a restricted free agent after this offseason, giving Detroit the advantage to re-sign before any other suitor. It also makes Bojan Bogdanovic more expendable. Bogdanovic has one more partially guaranteed year after this season worth $19.0 million, where only $2 million will be guaranteed until June 29, 2024.
All in all, this is a good deal for both sides. The Jazz got essentially a late first-round pick for a second-year wing plus a young forward in Knox, who’s struggled to find his footing throughout his NBA career. Detroit, meanwhile, gets a wing to piece into its young core who can space the floor for Cade Cunningham (hallelujah!) and do the dirty work on the glass.
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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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