The Detroit Pistons struck first on the day before the NBA trade deadline, making moves along the fringes instead of swinging for a big splash.
These are the types of moves the Pistons needed before the season started, as I wrote earlier in the year, as Detroit's biggest need was role players that better complemented their young core, which was not addressed with the addition of Joe Harris.
So let's take a look at the two trades, how they graded out (so far) and what could come next.
Detroit Pistons' trade #1
Simone Fontecchio to Detroit for a 2024 2nd round pick, Kevin Knox and Gabriele Procida
The Pistons flipped Kevin Knox, the draft rights to Gabriele Procida and a 2024 second-round pick (WAS) for Simone Fontecchio from the Utah Jazz.
At first glance, this seemed unnecessary, as Fontecchio is set to be a free agent and the Pistons could have just signed him in the offseason without giving anything up. But Fontecchio is restricted, which will make him much easier to retain, which they reportedly plan to do.
If the Pistons can re-sign Fontecchio to a reasonable deal, then this is a win for Detroit, as they netted a big wing who can shoot and isn't a sieve on defense. They've long needed two-way wings and this addresses that issue.
Knox and Procida are not big losses, as neither of them was part of the future plans anyway. The second-round pick will be a good one, likely near the top of the round, but the 2024 draft has long been seen as a weak one, so Fonteccio is likely better than any player they were going to draft there.
This wasn't a blockbuster, but it was a solid move for Detroit, who addressed a need without giving up much of value.
Grade: B
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Detroit Pistons' trade #2
Monte Morris to Minnesota for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr. and a 2nd-round pick
The Pistons recouped the pick they gave up for Fontecchio or the one they gave up to get Morris in the first place, however, you want to look at it.
Milton and Brown Jr. are worth flyers as young players who have shown talent in the past, and both are on non-guaranteed deals that the Pistons can decline before next season. If they show something, great, if not, no harm done.
Morris gets to go play for a contender and the Pistons could still bring him back in free agency if there is mutual interest in the offseason.
This move opens up more minutes for Marcus Sasser, who has been making the most of them lately, gives the Pistons two younger players to try out and gains back one of the second-round picks they lost.
Again, not a blockbuster, but they did right by a veteran player and may be able to keep him anyway.
Grade: B-
So what comes next?
The Detroit Pistons have to finish the job
Adding Fontecchio does not make Bojan Bogdanovic expendable but it would make losing him easier to swallow, as he can replace some of Bogey's offense and provide better defense.
The Fontecchio trade will only matter if the Pistons can re-sign him, and they should be able to, as they will have the right to match any deal.
But they shouldn't match any deal.
Fontecchio is a valuable player, evidenced by the fact that contenders were reportedly after him, but he's not worth giving a huge deal that outpaces his production.
The Pistons were in a similar situation with Marvin Bagley III, who they ended up overpaying even though there weren't other teams willing to offer what Detroit eventually gave him.
They need to evaluate the market for Fontecchio and ensure they don't drastically overpay for him. There aren't a lot of teams with cap space, so the Pistons are in the driver's seat and don't need to go crazy.
If they don't, this trade looks like a win, especially if Detroit can keep Fontecchio on a team-friendly deal.
There could be more moves coming today, and the Pistons are now in a better position to make them.