Pistons clear Isaiah Stewart’s salary, point toward bigger moves
The Detroit Pistons traded center Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks during the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday.
Stewart spent six seasons in Detroit after the Pistons acquired him on draft night in 2020. He never wore a different NBA uniform until now.
Last season he appeared in 58 games, averaging 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 22.7 minutes off the bench behind starting center Jalen Duren on a team that won 60 games in the regular season.
Windhorst says the Pistons are now ready for bigger moves
The three second-round picks Memphis is sending back are the same ones Detroit gave them the previous night, during a three-team exchange with the Oklahoma City Thunder in which the Pistons landed Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie at No. 17. The picks are the more favorable of the Detroit/Milwaukee/New York 2029 second-rounder, the Dallas 2031 second-rounder, and the Detroit 2032 second-rounder.
Just in: The Detroit Pistons are trading C/F Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Pistons clear Stewart’s salary and pick up assets while Grizzlies acquire a 25-year-old as a rugged frontcourt piece. pic.twitter.com/V8zbaI5OXr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
The purpose behind the transaction is what Detroit said afterward. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on draft coverage that the Pistons are now prepared to go “big game hunting” following the salary clearance, indicating this is a setup move rather than a destination.
Stewart was making $15 million this season with a $15 million team option for 2027-28. Clearing that contract gives Detroit room to operate for a more impactful addition.
Stewart was Detroit’s longest-tenured player and one of the consistent pieces through the full arc of the team’s rebuilding years around Cade Cunningham.
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