The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of a slow free agency. They have yet to re-sign Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., and have just let Dennis Schröder sign with the Sacramento Kings. The only external contract they signed was with Caris LeVert, who spent the second half of last season with the Atlanta Hawks. While LeVert will certainly help replace Schröder with two-way guard play, the Pistons still need to do some work to take a step forward next season.
With free agency options quickly dwindling, the Pistons may need to turn to the trade market. In order to acquire another difference maker via trade, the Pistons will have to include Simone Fontecchio and his $8.3 million salary in a deal.
Simone Fontecchio's Time in Detroit Is Coming to an End
Even though Fontecchio was a serviceable backup during the regular season, he lost his rotation role during the playoffs, not playing a minute in the Knicks series. On paper, he is a solid two-way forward who can do a little bit of everything. In practice, he wasn't quite good enough in any one facet of the game to justify playing time.
That is why the Pistons desperately need to upgrade that backup forward spot behind Tobias Harris. Adding more shooting in that spot would help make things easier for Cade Cunningham, LeVert, Jaden Ivey, and Ausar Thompson.
Fontecchio may seem like he wouldn't have much trade value on his own, but it's important to remember that he is an expiring contract. Plus, he is not entirely dead salary as he can play limited minutes on a team. If Detroit were to add a first-round pick to his salary, they should be able to get a quality rotation player. Regardless of what GM Trajan Langdon does elsewhere, he needs to find Fontecchio a new home this summer.