The first trade of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline is certainly going to surprise some people. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Detroit Pistons have agreed to a trade with the Utah Jazz centered around forward Simone Fontechcio.
Fontecchio is heading to the Motor City in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick via the Washington Wizards. Kevin Knox is also on his way to Utah, along with the draft rights to Gabriele Procida.
It is certainly shocking to see the 6-43 Pistons make a trade in which they are considered the buyers ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. They are on the fast track for another top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but their front office is determined to turn things around, even incrementally.
Detroit does not want to finish with the worst record in NBA history, which is part of their motivation to be buyers despite already guaranteeing a losing campaign. Fontecchio will certainly help them on the court, as he provides the team with some much-needed floor spacing.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Simone Fontechcio, Kevin Knox, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons Updates
After making 33 percent of his 3-pointers during his rookie season in the NBA, Fontecchio has improved to 39.1 percent this season. He has started 34 out of the 50 games he has played for the Jazz this season and will be an immediate upgrade to Monty Williams’ rotation.
Set to hit restricted free agency this offseason, part of the motivation for the Pistons acquiring him was that they envision him being a long-term part of the franchise. According to Wojnarowski, there were a lot of suitors bidding for him, but the Pistons won the sweepstakes, making retaining him long-term much easier.
This likely isn’t the final move for either the Pistons or Jazz ahead of the deadline tomorrow afternoon. Both teams still have several veterans who have been involved in NBA rumors over the last few weeks and should look to maximize the value of those players.
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