The Pistons traded Simone Fontecchio to the Heat this offseason, and it already looks like a terrible decision. Fontecchio is having a resurgence to start the season and shooting a career-high 59% from three, which would greatly help the Pistons right now. After a down year last season, Fontecchio has come back in a major way and is playing arguably the best basketball of his NBA career.
Fontecchio is proving the Pistons wrong
Last season, Fontecchio averaged just 6 points per game while shooting 40% from the field and 33% from three. Now, he's rebounded to 14 points per game on 60% from the field and 59% from three. He's had a lot more opportunity in Miami and his minutes have also gone up from 16 a game last season to 21 per game so far this season.
He was the only proven backup power forward on the team, and that spot has largely been vacant this season. Instead, the Pistons have relied on Tobias Harris to play big minutes and filled in behind him with a combination of young talent. Those young guys are often playing out of position and can't exactly replicate Harris' playing style the way that Fontecchio could, when he was at his best.
The loss of Fontecchio is even more painful looking at the Pistons' current rotation. He would fit in perfectly with the bench mob that frequently includes Ron Holland II and Isaiah Stewart alongside starter Ausar Thompson to wreck defensive havoc. Fontecchio has the defensive chops to keep up with that group, while being able to provide valuable shooting that is missing off the Pistons bench.
Perhaps the worst part of the Fontecchio trade is that it didn't technically need to happen. Fontecchio is still on a cheap contract at $8 million this season, which he has definitely outperformed so far. The Pistons could have kept him without going into the first apron, but he demanded a trade after feeling misused last season. If the Pistons had handled his play last season or his offseason negotiations better, they could have benefitted from his talents on the current squad.
Detroit traded Fontecchio as part of the Duncan Robinson signing after he was a negative on both ends last season. Ironically, Fontecchio is now shooting better than Robinson and providing a lot more defensive value. He didn't get the playing time he needed to establish a good rhythm last season, but Fontecchio is giving the Pistons a lot of remorse now that he's back in a good flow.