Almost like clockwork, the Miami Heat always seems to find an undrafted gem and enables them to break out as players. In anticipation of who that could end up being next, there’s reason to believe that the Heat already has their next undrafted find on their roster: Simone Fontecchio.

Fontecchio was somewhat of an afterthought after he came over from the Detroit Pistons in the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade, but he could emerge as a very useful player for the Heat.

Even though not much will be expected from Fontecchio this season, he could emerge as the team’s next undrafted gem.

If we can take Fontecchio at his word, he’s coming off a season that was limited by injury. In his words, Fontecchio believes that a toe injury he suffered in late 2024 impacted his overall impact this past season.

Fontecchio averaged just six points on 34 percent shooting from 3-point range this past season in Detroit, but did manage to average 11 points on 40 percent shooting from deep in 66 games between Utah and Detroit during the 2023-24 season. If he can revert to that player again, there’s reason to believe he could be on the verge of a breakout campaign with the Heat.

Where Fontecchio fits on the Heat

It’d be foolish to suggest that Fontecchio is going to be viewed as the primary Robinson replacement for the Heat, but he could be part of the solution. Fontecchio’s size and shooting ability will naturally give him a good chance to begin the season in the Heat’s rotation.

And Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is consistent. If Fontecchio is effective and productive, he’ll give him a bigger and bigger role. Considering Fontecchio could finally be in the best position he’s ever been in (during his NBA career) to succeed, there may be nothing stopping him from emerging as a breakout candidate for the Heat.

Schematically speaking, the Heat are going to need every break they can get. A Fontecchio breakout season could help this team make up some of the margin between them and the rest of the contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Sure, the addition of Norman Powell is going to give this team an offensive boost heading into next season, but they’re going to need more than that if they’re going to recover from having one of the worst offensive units in the league last season.

Heading into next season, Fontecchio is certainly one name to keep a close eye on. And he may very well be the Heat’s next undrafted breakout player.