Fontecchio returns to Pistons on 2-year contract

Restricted free agent forward Simone Fontecchio has agreed on a two-year, $16 million contract to return to the Detroit Pistons, his agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Basketball, told ESPN on Saturday.

Fontecchio, 28, figured into the Pistons’ plans with an outstanding final several weeks of the past season after arriving in a trade deadline deal with the Utah Jazz. He averaged 15.4 points on 42.6% 3-point shooting in his 16 games with the Pistons, and the Italian forward is expected to be a part of new coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s playing rotation.

After averaging 6.3 points as a rookie with the Jazz, Fontecchio improved his scoring by 10.5 points between the two teams. He shot 44% on 3-pointers after the All-Star break, 10th best among players with 75-plus attempts in that stretch, according to ESPN Stats & Information.