Utah Jazz Trade Simone Fontecchio To Detroit Pistons
Feb 7, 2024, 11:15 AM | Updated: Feb 8, 2024, 10:53 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz are trading forward Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons for Kevin Knox and a 2024 second-round pick.
Fontecchio has started in 34 games for the Jazz this year.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal on February 7.
We have acquired forward Kevin Knox II, a future second round draft pick, and the draft rights to Gabriele Procida (36th overall in 2022) in a trade, sending forward Simone Fontecchio to the Detroit Pistons.https://t.co/NZ2DLHtwUT
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 8, 2024
Fontecchio With The Jazz
In 23 minutes per game, Fontecchio is averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Thank you, @simofonte13 💜 pic.twitter.com/aJL2KNpaBW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 8, 2024
He drastically improved his efficiency compared to his rookie season. Fontecchio has become a reliable shooter with 45/39/80 shooting splits.
The L’aquila, Italy native stepped into a bigger role with the Jazz this season and showed some flashes.
When the Jazz won 15 of 19 games in December and January, Fontecchio played a huge part in Utah’s success.
Svegliati, Italia! SIMONEFONTECCHIO is 𝙳𝚄𝙽𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 🤌#TakeNote | @simofonte13 pic.twitter.com/zgGHS3EhgW
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 2, 2024
Fontecchio brought much-needed hustle and perimeter defense to the Jazz’s frontcourt while proving to be one of the top catch-and-shoot options on the roster.
Italy Meets Detroit
Fontecchio joins a Detroit team that sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. With a 6-43 record, the Pistons are in full rebuild mode.
Fontecchio will play alongside rising star Cade Cunningham and former Jazzman Bojan Bogdanovic in Motor City.
Fontecchio raised his three point percentage from 33 percent to 39.1 this season for the Jazz — where he started 34 games this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024
Kevin Knox averaged 18 minutes per game with the Pistons. Fontecchio will step in to soak all of those minutes up and potentially more.
Detroit is currently 24th in three-point percentage, 29th in three-pointers made, and 28th in threes attempted.
Utah’s Return
In addition to Kevin Knox and the 2024 Washington second-round pick, the Jazz also gained the draft rights to Italian prospect Gabriele Procida.
Procida was drafted with the 36th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. After not recording any NBA minutes, Procida took his talents to the German Basketball Bundesliga and the EuroLeague.
Welcome to Utah, @KevKnox 🫡 pic.twitter.com/NMVrlQ92nN
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 8, 2024
In February 2023, he was named a candidate for the EuroLeague Rising Star award.
Fontecchio will be a restricted free agent this summer and Pistons made trade to keep him as part of franchise’s longer-term core. Fontecchio had a lot of suitors at trade deadline — and Pistons land him for an early second-round pick and draft rights to Procida.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2024
Kevin Knox is a six-year NBA veteran who has bounced around the league in recent years. After being drafted with the ninth pick in the 2018 draft, Knox averaged 12.8 points in his rookie year and hasn’t reached a double-digit average since.
In 31 games played this season, Knox is averaging 7.2 points and 2.4 rebounds on 46.2% shooting.
The most valuable asset in the trade may prove to be the second-round pick from the Wizards.
Washington currently sits in the East’s 14-seed with a record of 9-40. There is a high chance that the pick falls somewhere between 31 and 35.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
