Report: Jazz, Pistons Complete Three-Player Trade As NBA Deadline Looms
In one of the first moves at the NBA trade deadline, the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons have completed a three-player trade, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Jazz traded wing Simone Fontecchio to the Pistons. In return, the Pistons will send the Jazz wing Kevin Knox, a 2024 second-round pick and the draft rights to wing Gabriele Procida, who is playing professionally in Germany.
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Fontecchio has shot 39% from three-point range this season for Utah, and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. The Pistons see Fontecchio as a long-term franchise building block, where he can provide upside defensively as he continues to develop to go along with his improving jump shot.
In 50 games this season, which includes 34 starts, Fontecchio is averaging 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game on 45% shooting from the floor, which is four percentage points better than his rookie NBA season in 2022-23.
As for Utah, the franchise continues its rebuild by acquiring draft capital and young talent. Knox is an expiring contract and is set to become a free agent this summer, but Utah was able to land a second-round pick and the rights to Procida, who is a promising prospect with a future in the NBA when he comes over to the United States from Europe.