Hours after speculation arose that the Suns were interested in Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio, the 28-year-old was traded to the Detroit Pistons for a 2024 2nd-round pick.
During his time with the Jazz this season, Fontecchio averaged 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Additionally, he maintained a close to .400 shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
Initial reports suggested that the Suns and the Celtics were the two teams interested in Fontecchio, making the Pistons’ acquisition of him somewhat surprising.
While the Suns have yet to make a move with the trade deadline looming around 24 hours away, given Mat Ishbia’s aggressive nature, it is expected that they will make a splash.
Having won 11 of their last 14 games, the Suns have improved their record to 30-21, placing them just 5 games back from the top spot in the Western Conference.
However, Phoenix still possesses one of the worst benches in the league, averaging just 27.7 points per game, which is the fewest in the NBA. Their bench is in dire need of bolstering ahead of the deadline.
Looking ahead, the Suns have the toughest remaining schedule to wrap up the 2023-2024 season, with an average opponent winning percentage of .545. They will need to receive support from their bench if they hope to secure a playoff spot without going through the play-in tournament.
Some notable matchups on the horizon include two games against the Celtics, two against the Clippers, two against the Nuggets, two against the Timberwolves, two against the Thunder, and two against the Cavs.
This season, when facing teams with a .500 record or better, the Suns hold a 14-14 record.
Stay tuned for further updates.
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