The Boston Celtics don’t want to make a big statement before to the NBA trade deadline in 2024. Instead, they’re trying for a more modest move that might strengthen their lineup, which is already strong.
Simone Fontecchio of the Utah Jazz could be a good fit for that kind of arrangement. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the 28-year-old is apparently drawing attention from the Celtics before the deadline on February 8th.During the 2023–24 season, Fontecchio has moved into a more starting role after playing mostly off the bench the previous season. Right now, his average is 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 23.2 minutes per game.
Boston doesn’t have much financial wiggle room, but the Italian forward works within the front office’s spending plan. Conveniently, his yearly salary of roughly $3.1 million is less than the Celtics’ $6.2 million TPE. When Boston signed and traded forward Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks last summer, it received that priceless TPE. The $6.2 million will expire if the C’s don’t use it before the deadline.
With eight second-round picks in their possession, the Celtics have enough of ammunition for a less spectacular move. They now have an available roster position as well, so they could sign Fontecchio without having to deal with anyone else and upsetting the balance on the team.
This season, Fontecchio and the Celtics have only played once, and neither of the Jazz players found the encounter particularly noteworthy. In the game on January 5, Fontecchio scored seven points in twenty-five minutes, and the Celtics thrashed Utah, 126-97.
Simone Fontecchio had performed better versus the C’s just one season prior. He scored eight points in his 16 minutes off the bench on March 18, 2023, which helped the Jazz win 118-117. Thirteen days later, in 31 minutes against Boston, he finished with 12 points and four rebounds, but the Celtics won 122-114.
All things considered, the undrafted forward might fit right in with Boston’s 3-point-heavy system. Currently shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc, he poses a threat from deep and is aware that he won’t be playing a significant amount of minutes on a talented team.
Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, has a soft spot for players who do well against his group. In addition, Danny Ainge, the guy who held his previous position, is currently the Jazz’s CEO of Basketball Operations. Maybe the two ex-business partners can get back together and close a deal that includes Fontecchio.
In any case, the C’s, who are 38-12 in the Eastern Conference, are in a strong position. The Jazz, who are 26-26 and very much out of the running for the NBA Play-In, might be better off selling at the deadline.
Leave a Reply