Pistons Trade Stewart
Detroit Pistons Trade Isaiah Stewart to Memphis Grizzlies, Gain Draft Picks and Salary Cap Relief.
Key Points
Stewart's path to Detroit included being originally drafted by Portland, with his rights subsequently traded to Houston before landing with the Pistons.
In 2025-26, Stewart delivered a productive defensive presence for Detroit, posting 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 58 regular-season games (22.7 minutes per game) with 13 starts.
Stewart was a fan favorite and the Pistons’ longest-tenured player since 2020, highlighting the emotional impact of the trade for Detroit’s fanbase.
In Memphis, Stewart could start or come off the bench behind Zach Edey and Cameron Boozer, as the Grizzlies aim to re-create a rugged frontcourt and fit around their young core.
Fans and analysts voiced strong reactions on social media, with remarks that Beef Stew would bolster the Grizzlies’ identity and comparisons to past gritty eras.
The Detroit Pistons traded center Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies on June 24, 2026, during the second round of the NBA Draft. Detroit gets three future second-round picks in return — the same 2029, 2031, and 2032 picks it had sent to Memphis just 24 hours earlier, according to Sports Illustrated.
The deal clears Stewart's two-year, $30 million contract, freeing roughly $15 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season. CBS Sports called it an important salary dump, with Detroit now eyeing a bigger move to pair with All-Star Cade Cunningham.
Detroit Clears Cap Space to Hunt a Star
The Pistons finished 60-22 in 2025-26 — the best record in the East — but lost in the second round to Cleveland. That playoff exit exposed a lack of a secondary scorer. By moving Stewart's $15 million annual salary, Detroit can now push past $30 million in total cap space if it renounces other free agents, per Hoops Rumors.
PistonPowered reported the Pistons are linked to Tyler Herro and Austin Reaves as potential targets. ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted Detroit is "preparing to go big game hunting." The front office also needs room to re-sign Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson to max-level extensions in the near future.
Stewart's Six Years as Detroit's Heart and Soul
Stewart, 25, was the longest-tenured Piston after joining in 2020. He was originally drafted by Portland, traded to Houston before playing a game, then landed in Detroit — where he became a fan favorite known as "Beef Stew." Over 365 career games, he averaged 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, according to CBS Sports.
In 2025-26, Stewart posted 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in 58 games while shooting 55.0% from the field. He held opponents to just 43.8% shooting at the rim — the best mark in the NBA among players with 50-plus games and four or more attempts faced, per Hoops Rumors.
Memphis Revives Grit-and-Grind With a Bruising Big
Memphis had a rough 25-57 season in 2025-26, hurt badly by injuries. The Grizzlies used a $28.8 million Traded Player Exception — created when they moved Jaren Jackson Jr. in February — to absorb Stewart without sending salary back, per Sports Illustrated. That keeps their Mid-Level Exception available for other needs.
Stewart joins a frontcourt featuring 7'3" Zach Edey, who missed most of last season with ankle issues, and Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 Draft. CBS Sports praised the move as giving Memphis a "young, physical, and mean front line" that echoes the team's classic grit-and-grind identity.
Fans Divided as a Circular Trade Raises Eyebrows
The deal's structure drew attention quickly. Memphis sent back the exact three second-round picks it had received from Detroit the night before — a circular swap analysts noted right away. ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news at 9:06 PM EDT on June 24, per NY Post.
Detroit fans expressed heartbreak on social media over losing a beloved staple. Analyst Kevin O'Connor warned the trade "better be the first of many" to justify the low return. But PistonPowered noted it could prove to be a "masterstroke of cap management" — if the Pistons land the star they are clearly chasing.
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