The Detroit Pistons are entering the 2025 NBA Draft with the 37th-overall pick. While there have been rumblings about a potential trade up into the first round, what the Pistons are planning to do with their only selection remains unclear.
As much as Pistons fans want a bigger move that would involve packaging that draft pick in a trade, using that pick to draft an NBA-ready player is also an intriguing option. One obvious area of need for Detroit was the backup forward spot, especially once Simone Fontecchio fell out of favor towards the end of the season. The Italian power forward wasn't a part of the rotation in the playoffs, leaving Detroit thin in the frontcourt.
Pistons Can Find Simone Fontecchio Replacement at the Draft
Plus, Fontecchio will make $8.3 million for next season. His expiring contract may be a trade chip, while the Pistons should be able to get similar production from a rookie.
In their latest mock draft, ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have the Pistons select Australian prospect Alex Toohey with their pick. This is the type of Fontecchio replacement Detroit could consider.
Toohey is an older prospect who just turned 21. He has extensive experience playing in the Australian National Basketball League and the national team. As a 6-foot-8 combo forward who can do a little bit of everything, he has a similar player profile to Fontecchio.
The draft is obviously not the only way the Pistons can replace Fontecchio. Detroit is one of the few teams in the league that has cap space. While a lot of it will likely go to re-sign Malik Beasley, and maybe one of Dennis Schröder and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Pistons can create more cap space if needed. Free agents like Santi Aldama, Naz Reid, and Jonathan Kuminga could be some options for the Pistons, albeit significantly more expensive than Fontecchio or any rookie.