Simone Fontecchio

The Jazz traded Fontecchio to the Pistons during the 2023-24 season. That move turned out to be great for the Italian wing, who enjoyed a more significant role with Detroit until he suffered a toe injury that kept him away from the hardwood from March 17 until the end of the season. The small sample size was enough to create excitement in fantasy managers, however, as Fontecchio went from averaging 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds across 23.2 minutes per game in Utah to delivering 15.4 points and 4.4 boards across 30.3 minutes per contest in Motor City. Fontecchio is rehabbing from the same toe injury that sidelined him at the end of the season, but he's expected to be fully healthy and available by the time the 2024-25 season starts. While he might open the season as Tobias Harris' backup, there's a strong chance Fontecchio's role will grow as the season progresses. Even if he stays in a bench role, Fontecchio's scoring figures and efficient shooting -- he made 40.1 percent of his threes in 2023-24 -- should be enough to make him a viable target, even as a waiver pickup, in category-based leagues and deeper formats. Ultimately, Fontecchio's role will determine just how much upside he will have.

Despite an encouraging end to the 2022-23 season, Fontecchio remains an afterthought in most fantasy formats. His strong production down the stretch last year came as the team shifted into playing their depth pieces, seeking a high draft pick. He was outside the top 400 in standard formats, a range that is likely to be on the cards once again. Playing behind the likes of Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk, as well as the recently acquired John Collins and Taylor Hendricks, Fontecchio is obviously the odd man out when it comes to minutes.