The Pistons recently sent out Simone Fontecchio as part of the sign-and-trade for Duncan Robinson. Fontecchio was the Pistons’ backup power forward last season, but had a down year on both sides of the ball. His performance so far in EuroBasket has shown that the Pistons may have been better off giving him another chance.
Simone Fontecchio: Italian Basketball Star
Fontecchio has been a role player in his NBA career, usually coming off the bench but occasionally starting. In international competition, his role completely changes and he is the star of the Italian national team.
After a couple of rough games to start the EuroBasket tournament, Fontecchio exploded for 39 points against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Italy’s most recent contest. This performance set the record for the most points scored by an Italian in international competition, surpassing former NBA #1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani.
Fontecchio scored his buckets in different ways but his outside shooting was remarkable. He knocked down a total of 7 three-pointers in this game. The Pistons were hoping to see that sort of shooting from him last season, but instead he shot just 33 percent from three.
Of course, the competition level in the NBA and EuroBasket is very different. NBA players are generally going to be more athletic and the pace of play is different. Also, the 3-point line is about a foot and a half shorter in EuroBasket than in the NBA.
But the biggest difference for Fontecchio is really opportunity. On the Pistons last season, his minutes were not consistent (16.5 per game) and he would not have had the same bounce back opportunities he is currently seeing with Italy.
If the Pistons had kept him to put him in the same role as last season, they probably would have gotten the same results. To unlock a Fontecchio closer to his national team form, a team will need to offer him more freedom and minutes - perhaps similar to what the Pistons offered at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Fontecchio’s absence still leaves a gaping void on the Pistons’ depth chart. Without a true power forward to back up Tobias Harris, the team is looking for one of its youngsters to grow into that role. Keeping Fontecchio around would have at least provided an emergency option with real size and experience at that position.
Fontecchio has had an up-and-down NBA career with very different opportunities and results. His most recent EuroBasket stretch just proves that he needs some free leash to come back from subpar performances, which the Pistons were not willing to grant him.