The Detroit Pistons and forward Simone Fontecchio have reached an agreement on a contract extension. Fontecchio will be returning to Detroit on a two-year deal valued at $16 million, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Standing at 6-10, Fontecchio was acquired by the Pistons in February last year during the 2024 trade deadline. Detroit traded forward Kevin Knox and a second-round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the 28-year-old sharpshooter.
Fontecchio quickly made an impact on the Pistons’ lineup, addressing their shortage of forwards, spacing, and shooting. In just 16 games with Detroit, he averaged 15.4 points per game, shooting 48% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc, with an impressive 53% accuracy from the corner three-pointers.
Unfortunately, Fontecchio’s debut season with the Pistons was cut short due to a toe injury that required surgery in May, causing him to miss the last 15 regular-season games.
Despite the setback, Fontecchio expressed optimism about his future in Detroit during the team’s rebuild. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” he remarked. “Though the injury made the last month tough, I’m eager for the future. I love Detroit, the Pistons organization, and I’m committed to staying long-term.”
Fontecchio’s extension aligns with the priorities set by President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon, who aimed to bolster Detroit’s shooting capabilities. This effort began with the hiring of assistant coach Fred Vinson from the New Orleans Pelicans, renowned for his shooting development expertise over 14 seasons.
Fontecchio joins a revamped shooting lineup for the Pistons alongside new acquisitions like Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, and Malik Beasley. These additions are intended to alleviate pressure on franchise point guard Cade Cunningham, who often faces heavy defensive coverage due to the team’s previous lack of scoring options.
Looking forward, Detroit aims to balance the development of young talents like Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II with the competitive edge brought by seasoned scorers. This strategic approach underscores the Pistons’ commitment to sustainable growth and team success.
Eric Vincent, a seasoned sports journalist covering the Pistons and the NBA, provided this insightful analysis of Detroit’s offseason moves.