Simone Fontecchio is eager to run it back with the Miami Heat despite receiving better, more lucrative offers elsewhere.
The Italian forward told Lia Capizzi of Domani that he simply wanted to remain in Miami out of the Heat leadership's commitment to keep him for this year's offseason.
Fontecchio signed a one-year, $2.6 million veteran minimum contract to return to the Heat as an unrestricted free agent.
“My priority was to continue my NBA career," he said, via Dario Skerletic of Sportando. "Pat Riley told me he wanted me to stay, and then coach Erik Spoelstra made it clear that he really wanted to keep me.
"I’ve always felt their trust, even when I fell out of the rotation.”
Simone Fontecchio excited to play with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami Heat
Acquired from the Detroit Pistons in last year's offseason, Simone Fontecchio played a key bench role for the Miami Heat in the 2025-26 NBA season. He averaged 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16.8 minutes per game.
He also shot a respectable 37.5% from the three-point range across 70 regular-season appearances.
With his return, the Heat have regained a highly reliable piece to build around Giannis Antetokounmpo. As such, Fontecchio is already welcoming the chance to play alongside the two-time NBA MVP.
“Giannis’ signing has put Miami back at the center of the NBA map," Fontecchio said. "We have completely different roles, so I would be more of a complementary player, and that’s only a positive for me.
"A player like Giannis needs plenty of shooters around him, so I think I can be useful.”