Italy’s Simone Fontecchio, shown here at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is reportedly headed to Utah as an international free agent.
While many decisions have been made and others loom in Utah, the Jazz have reportedly opted to make their first free-agent splash of the offseason.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, they’ll be bringing on Italian forward Simone Fontecchio with a two-year, $6.25 million deal. He last played with Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), averaging 11.0 ppg and 4.4 rpg in EuroLeague play while shooting 43.1%, including 40.2% from range. He also put up 19.3 ppg in four games at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The deal was officially announced by the Jazz on July 27.
𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘰, @simofonte13 🖤💛https://t.co/BrrGne80el#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/DJ4GctyRG4
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 27, 2022
The Utah Jazz have agreed on a two-year, $6.25M deal with Italian forward Simone Fontecchio of Baskonia in the Spanish ACB, his agent Sam Goldfeder of @ExcelBasketball tells ESPN. @DraftExpress considers Fontecchio, 26, the best available international small forward prospect.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 17, 2022
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony had ranked Fontecchio as his No. 1 international free agent SF, describing him as:
6’7 and chiseled. Shot 41% for 3 the past two seasons. Solid passer. Competitive defender. Only 26 years old. Good rotational wing who can play 2/3/4.
The Jazz, who have already traded 3-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert for a slew of players and picks, are reportedly engaged with the Knicks regarding the future of star guard Donovan Mitchell.
