It’s been over 24 hours since I’ve had the chance to digest what the Pistons did during the trade deadline. In the heat of the moment, I was very conflicted with what the team was doing. They started well with the acquisition of Simone Fontecchio from the Utah Jazz. Fontecchio gives the Pistons a 3-point threat and a young piece that can fit within the core of Cunningham, Ivey, Sasser, Duren, and Thompson. There were also some questionable moves.
The biggest surprise to me was the release of Killian Hayes, the 7th overall pick in the 2020 draft. Early in the season, I was highly invested in Hayes, but he couldn’t improve enough to be a part of the Pistons’ long-term solution. With the 23-point comeback completed Thursday night against the TrailBlazers, Let’s talk about the moves the Pistons made the day leading up to their second straight win.
The Pistons Acquire Simone Fontecchio for Kevin Knox.
Kevin Knox has had a rough career up to this point. The New York Knicks drafted him 9th overall in the 2018 NBA draft. His incredible leaping ability and ability to score were seen as strengths that would translate to the NBA game. His time in New York proved a failure, and he bounced around between Atlanta, Detroit, Portland, and back to Detroit. In the 31 games he played, Knox averaged 7.4 PTS and 2.9 REBS on 46/30/90% shooting splits.
Knox and the Wizards’ pick and draft rights to Gabriele Procida were traded to the Jazz for Simone Fontecchio. Fontecchio was a signing of the Jazz during the 22-23 season, where he averaged 6.3 PTS in 14.7 MINS. Fontecchio got more opportunities this season and took advantage of it, averaging 8.9 PTS, 3.5 REBS, and 1.5 ASTS.
Fontecchio’s Fit.
With the Pistons, Fontecchio gives a Pistons a sharpshooter from the 3. He shot 39% percent from the three this season for the Jazz, and with the departure of Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks, Fontecchio is expected to bring the same consistency from the 3. He also is pretty solid defensively and will help a Pistons squad that isn’t as good as I thought they’d be on that end. Overall, This is a solid move.
Grade: B+
Pistons acquire Troy Brown Jr. and Shake Milton for Monte Morris.
The story was just too good. Michigan native Monte Morris comes home to play for the team he probably grew up rooting for. Unfortunately, Morris was only available for six games for the Pistons, and the move was something that was all but inevitable. Morris will be asked to play a significant role off the bench behind Mike Conley.
Brown’s and Milton’s Fit.
Something tells me these guys won’t be significant contributors to the rotation. What you get with these two guys is veterans who can help mentor the young players. These are the guys you need in the locker room. If I had to put some money on who I think will play significant minutes between the two, It would probably be Troy Brown Jr. Shake Milton entering a logjam at the point with Cade, Malachi Flynn and Sasser. When given the minutes, these two guys can show you something, but I think their presence in the locker room this season is more important.
Let’s not forget Troy Brown Jr., who will be non-guaranteed 4 million next year, and Milton, who will be non-guaranteed 5 million.
Grade: C+
Pistons acquire House and 2nd round Pick from the Sixers, Waive him.
This move was to help Philadelphia save on some salary cap space, and for the Pistons’ troubles, they got a second-round pick. There’s not much to say about this deal for the Pistons, but I did react to Danuel House being waived by the Pistons.
Grade: C
Pistons acquire Grimes, Flynn, Arcidiacono, and four 2nd round picks from the Knicks.
This was the trade that confused me a bit. Not because of the pieces acquired but because of the players they traded and the draft compensation the Pistons received. Bogdanovic was brought in before the 22-23 season as the final piece to the Pistons squad looking to compete for a play-in spot at best. In the 59 games he played for the Pistons, Bogdanovic averaged 21.6 PTS, 3.8 REBS, and 2.6 ASTS. The Pistons couldn’t turn the corner, and the season went down.
Amid the season, It was reported that the Pistons were offered two first-round picks for Bogdanovic. The Pistons didn’t take the deal on my guess that the Pistons were expecting to compete this year with Monty Williams now in the fold. Alec Burks was another guy who balled last season and saw his value increase. Burks averaged 12.8 PTS while shooting 41% from the three-ball. He definitely could’ve been a solid piece for a championship contender.
Grimes and Flynn fit with the Pistons. Arcidiacono waived.
Quentin Grimes gives the Pistons a solid 3 & D shooting guard to back up Jaden Ivey. His three-point shooting (38.6%) and perimeter defense played a significant role in the Knicks’ surprising season last season. This season, his inconsistency cost him his starting job and being out of the rotation. Hopefully, Grimes will be a significant piece for the Pistons with a fresh start and reuniting with his college teammate Marcus Sasser.
Malachi Flynn is a point guard I like. I like his fire, tenacity, and energy out on the floor. He doesn’t turn the ball over and can run the offense effectively. Flynn hasn’t been able to showcase his abilities as he’s played behind other dynamic point guards (Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet & Jalen Brunson). Still, the chance to play in Detroit is there, and he could be a diamond in the rough.
Ryan Arcidiacono will be another point guard who should get some opportunity to play. An NCAA champion and the tournament outstanding player in 2016, Arcidiacono can run a team and not turn the ball over. His offense isn’t quite there (doesn’t this sound familiar), but he is a valid point guard. The Pistons released him, and he is currently a free agent.
Grade: C-
Pistons waive Killian Hayes.
In a move that surprised me, The Pistons sent Killian Hayes packing just days after he requested a trade. Hayes is a guy that I was high on. He may not be a superstar, but he is a significant piece of the roster. His playmaking and defensive abilities keep you employed on an NBA team. There were no takers, and the Pistons released him.
Grade: F
Pistons waive House, Gallinari, and Arcidiacono.
These moves were expected, considering the Pistons had about 18 players on the roster. Danilo Gallinari would probably surprise the bunch, but I’m not mad at Mike Muscala being chosen over him. Both Gallinari and Mike Muscala had been playing well, and one of the two had to be selected. I don’t expect House or Gallinari to be on the market for long, meaning they will be looked at heavily by teams in contention.
Grade: B
In Conclusion…
My anger in the trade deadline show yesterday was raw emotion. If you learn anything from raw emotion when things happen, Don’t react until you’ve had time to sit and analyze things. For the Pistons, the Trade deadline in 2024 was not as bad as I thought. They got some shooters and defenders, which were two areas they lacked. They also freed up some money to possibly have 65 million dollars for free agency this summer.
Credit to Troy Weaver for not staying put like other teams who needed to make a move did. I can respect a person who realizes that he made a mistake and is willing to do whatever he has to do to rectify that mistake. Troy could’ve sat on those guys and had them playing meaningless basketball, but he got them to teams looking to do big things this season.
The only move I wasn’t too happy about was letting Killian Hayes go for nothing. With that being said, Weaver knew the time had come, and he did what he had to do to give both parties a fresh start.
Pistons 2024 Trade Deadline Grade: C
And I’m still screaming FREE JAMES WISEMAN!!!!
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