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Detroit Pistons Send Message to Miami Heat Sharpshooter

Simone Fontecchio will part ways with the Pistons.
Justin Grasso|
Mar 25, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) moves the ball up court as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) defends during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) moves the ball up court as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) defends during the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsMiami Heat

The Simone Fontecchio run is over for the Detroit Pistons.

In 91 games, Fontecchio posted averages of six points, three rebounds, and nearly one assist. He shot 34 percent from beyond the arc on nearly three attempts per game during his run in Detroit.

As the Pistons reached the offseason, it was clear Fontecchio’s time with the franchise could be cut short, considering he was entering the final season of his two-year contract.

The Pistons traded Fontecchio rather quickly. Within the first couple of days of free agency, the Pistons and the Miami Heat struck an agreement. They decided to swap Duncan Robinson and Fontecchio.

Once the deal was made official, the Pistons sent a message to Fontecchio.

via @DetroitPistons: Thank you for everything on and off the court, Simone ❤️💙

Ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline is when the Pistons first picked up Fontecchio. The Italian forward was acquired from the Utah Jazz. During the 2023-2024 season, Fontecchio was averaging nine points while shooting 39 percent from deep in Utah.

Once he landed with the Pistons, Fontecchio had an impressive 16-game stretch to close out the regular season. He produced 15 points per game, knocking down 43 percent of his threes.

The remainder of the two-year, $16 million deal for Fontecchio will be handled by the Heat. Meanwhile, the Pistons hope that Robinson can bring an impact, helping with high-volume three-point shooting off the bench after the loss of Malik Beasley and now Fontecchio.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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