The Grizzlies are bolstering their frontcourt.
The Pistons traded Isaiah Stewart to Memphis for three future second-round picks during the second night of the 2026 NBA Draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday.
With the move, the Pistons shed Stewart’s salary and added future assets, while the Grizzlies brought in a young frontcourt piece.
Stewart, 25, is under contract until 2028, having signed a four-year, $60 million extension two years ago. He has a team option for 2027-28.
In 58 games last season, Stewart averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes. He came in seventh place in Sixth Man of the Year voting on a Detroit team that passed 60 wins for the first time in two decades.
Rumors were flying around Stewart’s future in Detroit since the beginning of June, mostly to shed the high salary in pursuit of bringing back several other pieces from last season’s team that was the No. 1 seed in the East.
The Pistons could now attempt to find an upgrade to help ease the burden on Cade Cunningham.
On the first night of the draft, Memphis acquired three second-rounders from Detroit. The Grizzlies sent them right back the following night for the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Stewart, often called “Beef Stew.”
In Memphis, Stewart likely will see most of the backup center minutes as he slots in behind Zach Edey, providing solid depth on the worst rebounding team in the second half of last season.
With a healthy Edey and Stewart coming in, the frontcourt will be far improved next year. Add in third overall pick Cameron Boozer and 21st overall pick Karim Lopez, and the Grizzlies’ frontcourt could go from lackluster to highly threatening very quickly.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
