Free-agent forward Simone Fontecchio agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract to return to the Pistons. The 28-year-old began last season in Utah before being traded to Detroit. In 66 games with both teams, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. With the Pistons in a rebuilding stage, anyone on the roster has a chance to earn minutes in 2024-25, meaning Fontecchio could turn himself into a viable fantasy commodity.
Simone Fontecchio Expected To Re-Sign With Pistons
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio is set to get a new deal from the team this summer. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic expects the Pistons to re-sign Fontecchio after the Italian enjoyed a good 16-game stint with the team in 2023-24. After coming over from Utah in February, Fontecchio averaged 15.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in Detroit, with 42.6 percent shooting deep. His campaign was cut short by a toe injury, which needed surgery. Fontecchio appeared to be a good fit for the Pistons. But the team has just parted ways with general manager Troy Weaver, and plenty more changes could be on the horizon, meaning there's quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) underwent successful surgery, the team announced on Tuesday. The 28-year-old injured his left big toe and missed the final 15 games of the 2023-24 campaign. Fortunately, he's expected to recover fully and be ready for training camp. Fontecchio began last season in Utah before getting traded to Detroit. He averaged 15.4 points with the Pistons, nearly doubling his scoring output from his days with the Jazz. Nonetheless, Fontecchio will be a restricted free agent this offseason, although there's a good chance Detroit will match any offers that come his way.
Simone Fontecchio Undergoes Surgery On His Left Big Toe Tuesday
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) had surgery on his left big toe on Tuesday and is expected to return by the start of training camp, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Fontecchio missed the final 14 regular season contests with a contusion on his right big toe. However, the 28-year-old was reliable for the Pistons before getting injured. He averaged 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes per game, starting in nine of 16 outings as he was traded from Utah in February to the Motor City. As a restricted free agent, he could attract interest from multiple teams, including Detroit. Fontecchio had previously expressed a strong desire to stay with the Pistons.
Simone Fontecchio Expects To Sign Extension With Pistons
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) has hinted that he's going to sign a long-term extension with the team in the offseason. The 28-year-old Italian is set to become a restricted free agent in the summer after completing his first two seasons in the NBA. Following an underwhelming rookie year with the Jazz, Fontecchio found his flow in 2023-24 and did particularly well after getting traded to Detroit. He notched 15.4 points and 4.4 rebounds across 30.3 minutes in 16 games with the Pistons before a toe injury ended his campaign a few weeks early. Fontecchio's performance was one of only a few bright spots for Detroit, as the team finished with the worst record in the league for a second consecutive year.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) has been ruled out for a 13th straight game on Thursday versus Chicago. He's been knocked out of the lineup by a toe contusion, and it's beginning to look like we have seen the last of the Italian in 2023-24. Detroit has two more games scheduled following Thursday. Chimezie Metu has received a big workload on the Pistons frontcourt lately, while the team is also giving extended looks to Troy Brown Jr., Jared Rhoden, and Tosan Evbuomwan. The rotation has been very unpredictable, with Evan Fournier even popping up against Philadelphia on Tuesday to produce 21 points in 26 minutes.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) continues to deal with a toe contusion and has been ruled out for the 10th consecutive game. His last game was on March 17 against the Miami Heat. With only a little more than a week left in the season, we may not see him return, but that has not been officially reported just yet. The Pistons currently have the worst record in the league and the best odds at the number-one pick in the 2024 NBA Draft seem to be locked up. As Fontecchio has watched from the sidelines, Troy Brown Jr., Chimezie Metu, and Malachi Flynn have all been getting some added minutes down the stretch.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) remains out for Monday's meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies. He's been sidelined for the Pistons' last seven games because of a toe issue. But with six contests remaining before Detroit calls it a season, the 28-year-old may not be back for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign. If Fontecchio is done, he'll end the year with averages of 15.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 42.6% from deep, the highest marks of his career. However, as far as Monday's matchup is concerned, Tosan Evbuomwan, averaging 7.8 points and 4.4 boards in five starts this season, will likely remain with the first five.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) remains out on Sunday against the Pelicans. The 28-year-old has played the best basketball of his career since he was acquired by the Pistons, averaging 15.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. But he hasn't played in a week because of a left big toe contusion. Fontecchio's next chance to play will be on Monday night in New York. But as far as Sunday's meeting with New Orleans is concerned, Tosan Evbuomwan, averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in two starts this season, is expected to fill the void in the rotation.
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (toe) won't play on Friday night versus the Boston Celtics. Fontecchio will miss his third consecutive game with the toe injury still bothering him. Detroit will likely play it safe as one of the worst teams in the league, and little at stake. Fontecchio has averaged 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 49% field goal shooting and 44% three-point shooting since his minutes increased after the All-Star break. Isaiah Stewart, Stanley Umude, Taj Gibson, and Ausar Thompson also being out will lead to better fantasy potential for Tosan Evbuomwan, Evan Fournier, and Troy Brown Jr. in a difficult match-up against the top team in the league.
