By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Utah Jazz traded away an Italian player and acquired the rights of a prospect from the same country on Wednesday, one day before the respective deadline on Thursday.
Following 50 appearances, including 34 starts in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, Simone Fontecchio was shifted to the Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Improving to 8.9 points and 39.1% from beyond the arc in his second campaign in the league based in North America, he additionally tallied 3.5 points, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest.
The Jazz will receive a second-round pick for the 2024 NBA draft and the NBA rights of fellow Italian Gabriele Procida, who currently plays in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague for ALBA Berlin.
Fontecchio, 26, is set to become an NBA restricted free agent during the offseason at the conclusion of a two-year contract marking his move to the Jazz in 2022. Earlier professional experience in Europe featured 77 games played in the EuroLeague between Bitci Baskonia, ALBA Berlin, and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan/AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan.
Procida, 21, was selected with the 36th overall pick of the 2022 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and immediately traded to the Pistons. Furthering his development by joining the team located in the capital of Germany, he logged 50 appearances in the EuroLeague, including 8.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 assists per game in the ongoing season of Europe’s premier club continental competitions.
Photo Credit: Getty Images