Simone Fontecchio returning to Pistons on two-year,…. million deal

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to a two-year contract worth $16 million with restricted free agent Simone Fontecchio, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Fontecchio, who joined the Pistons last season at the trade deadline, made a significant impact, averaging 15.4 points and shooting 42% from three-point range on over six attempts per game. The 28-year-old Italian forward has only played two seasons in the NBA.

While Fontecchio’s $8 million annual salary aligns with expectations, it’s surprising that President Trajan Langdon signed him for only two years. This could indicate Fontecchio’s desire for earlier free agency to secure another payday, or strategic planning by Langdon.

In two years, the Pistons will need to decide on their 2022 NBA Draft picks, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, or potentially trade them. Cade Cunningham, who reportedly agreed to a post-rookie max deal, will be one of the few veterans left under contract.

Fontecchio is a strong candidate to start at small forward due to his ability to stretch the floor and run at 6-foot-8. Other contenders for the forward positions alongside Tobias Harris include Ausar Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr.

Detroit aims to surround Cunningham with shooters like Malik Beasley and Fontecchio, emphasizing floor spacing. They could consider replacing Fontecchio with Hardaway, though this would leave them undersized in several positions. Alternatively, Thompson could offer defensive prowess at the expense of some spacing.

The Pistons’ recent signings of Fontecchio and Malik Beasley suggest they may not participate in facilitating a swap involving DeMar DeRozan from the Bulls to the Kings, despite earlier speculation involving teams like the Jazz and Spurs.

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