Pistons latest trade shows their commitment to avoiding loss record

It's the second time this season that the Pistons have traded future draft picks for veterans this season. 

They attached two second-round picks when they acquired Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala from Washington, where they also ditched Marvin Bagley III's 2024-25 contract. Now they're sending a high second-rounder to Utah for impending restricted free agent Simone Fontecchio.

Fontecchio is a 28-year-old small forward who shoots nearly 40% from three-point range and averages 8.9 points per game. The move gives Detroit the right to match any offers the Italian might get in free agency, but like the Gallinari addition, it gives them some three-point shooting they've seriously lacked.

He may be a fine player, but the Pistons now don't have a second-round pick until 2027. They traded the Washington Wizards' pick to get Fontecchio, which is projected to be No. 32 overall — just two picks out of the first round. It’s a high price just to get Fontecchio’s restricted rights.

But the real reason Detroit made this move may be to avoid ignominy. The 6-43 Pistons need to win four more games to beat the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers’ all-time worst season mark of 73 losses in a season.

If Fontecchio helps them do that, it might be well worth the draft capital to the Pistons. But it’s a strange series of win-now trades for a team that isn’t winning at all.