DETROIT >> Simone Fontecchio ended the season with several deep gashes on his arms.

Some lacerations occurred when he tried to be a peacemaker during the Detroit Pistons’ dust-up with the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30. While the fight between Ron Holland Jr. and Donte DiVincenzo spilled over into the fans who sat baseline at Target Center, Fontecchio was one of a handful of players who tried to de-escalate the situation.

However, the rest of Fontecchio’s scratches were caused by the NBA’s physical nature, a common wound for most players who play an important role for their respective teams. Although coach J.B. Bickerstaff omitted him from his rotation in the postseason, Fontecchio’s playoff absence does not make his contributions from the regular season irrelevant.

“Looking back on last year up until now, we’ve had one helluva turnaround,” Fontecchio told The Detroit News. “I am more than happy with what we have accomplished; the work that everyone has put in since last summer. It’s been a crazy turnaround. It’s been a crazy year.”

When thinking about the Pistons’ comeback, Fontecchio isn’t the first player to consider. In 75 games, he averaged nearly 17.0 minutes with a scoring average of 6.0 points on 40.2% shooting from the field.

However, the Pistons went 11-5 in games where Fontecchio scored 10 or more points. His best game of the season came during Detroit’s 127-81 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on March 17. He scored a season-high 24 points while shooting 5-of-5 from behind the arc to go along with seven rebounds.

Fontecchio’s performance as the Pistons’ eighth man this season was an abrupt change following his arrival from the Utah Jazz in February 2024.

“For me personally, (this season) might not have been as productive, but having the understanding of having a different role,” Fontecchio said. “Just having the mindset of impacting every game in different ways. If I could go in and give maximum effort every single time, I would be more than happy.”

At the time, he felt Detroit would be the place where his talents would be maximized more than in Utah. Before a toe injury put a premature end to his 2023-24 season, Fontecchio appeared in 16 games and played a handful of different positions. Unlike in Utah, he was more than a catch-and-shoot option.

Detroit used Fontecchio in various ways on the offensive end, averaging 15.4 points on 47.9% shooting from the field on 11.9 shot attempts.

Despite the consistent losing, being a primary focus point of an NBA offense was a fun experience for the former undrafted prospect. The Pistons went 4-12 in the 16 games Fontecchio played last season. His potential encouraged Detroit to re-sign the then-restricted free agent to a two-year contract in July.

“When I first got here, I was playing about 30 to 35 (minutes) a game, and I had a lot of touches, but it was a different situation,” Fontecchio said. “We were losing, and they were trying to see what I could bring to this franchise.”

Fontecchio had aspirations of recapturing his role with the Pistons this season. But for the greater good of the team, his drive for winning and trust in Bickerstaff helped him find solace. Instead of being one of the primary focal points on offense, Fontecchio remained a reliable 3-point shooter whose hustle helped Detroit win several 50-50 balls.

He shot an average of 5.0 attempts each game, with three accounting for shots behind the arc. Fontecchio’s most significant contributions to the Pistons’ success came by taking care of the minor details that cannot be measured through the box score.

“He understands how to play the game at a high level — I think what he’s done has been really good at learning how to fit in with this group,” Bickerstaff said. “He understands the dynamic of who the shot creators are and the plays that are being run for who.

“He still finds a way to impact winning. He crashes the offensive glass a ton, gets a lot of loose balls, plays defense, and then obviously the bonus is when that shot’s going down. We want him to be confident. We want him to continue to shoot it when he’s open, because we know he’s capable of getting hot.”

Fontecchio will have a more peaceful summer than last year. Instead of recovering from toe surgery, his primary goal this offseason will be treating the lacerations on his arms. Depending on the roster changes the Pistons make this summer, Fontecchio might have a different role when the team reunites for training camp in October.

However, regardless of what the Pistons ask of him heading into next season, Fontecchio’s role as a father of two girls will remain his most essential responsibility.

“The dynamic of the house changed; having a baby in the house changed things,” Fontecchio said. “Routine changes, you have to adjust. … My wife has been amazing as always. I have to thank her because she does one heck of a job.”