The Detroit Pistons are reportedly considering the future of big man Isaiah Stewart, as they pivot into a new direction with newly installed Trajan Langdon as their main executive.
On the surface, Stewart should be of considerable interest to many teams, in particularly due to the combination of his age (23) and his contract extension which triggers on July 1st.
Stewart signed a four-year contract worth $60 million, with the fourth year carrying an option for the Pistons. He’s compensated at a flat rate of $15 million per season, which is extremely manageable under the forthcoming rising cap.
However, while Stewart is both young and cheap, the situation isn’t as cut and dry.
The 6’8 big man has played the vast majority of his NBA minutes at center, which currently seems like his best position due to his energetic play, defensive upside, and somewhat inconsistent offensive performances.
Yet, with Jalen Duren on the roster, and the Pistons holding the fifth pick in the draft where 7’2 Donovan Clingan out of Connecticut could be available, there’s a risk in Stewart becoming the odd man out.
So, if he hits the trade market, how will teams view him?
One team might be able to make him work as a more traditional power forward, and that’s the San Antonio Spurs.
With Stewart having drastically improved his three-point shot over the past two years, both in regards to shooting volume and efficiency, the Spurs could run him next to Victor Wembanyama as to provide the Spurs with the element of spacing, as well as provide Wembanyama with a beefier front-court partner, who can use his physicality against bigger players.
This would free Wembanyama to roam more defensively, allowing him to sweep in from the weak side and challenge shots near the rim, or to pick up more agile wings on the perimeter.
Alternatively, Stewart could function as the first big man off the bench, backing up both Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan. While $15 million is a lot for a backup, he should maintain a certain level of trade value, and any Sochan extension wouldn’t kick in until 2026 regardless.
That said, should the Spurs prefer a different roster construction path – which they would if they share the belief that Stewart only works as a center – then options begin to fade.
Stewart could make sense as a Nic Claxton replacement in Brooklyn, should the latter leave in free agency.
Then the question becomes: Do the Nets view Stewart as a starter at the NBA level?
That question will likely be repeated amongst a few franchises given that Stewart, over the course of four years, never quite broke through and is looking at a raise.
At 10.6% of the estimated 2024-2025 salary cap, however, Stewart is by no means expensive, unless teams view him as strictly a one-position backup.
For him, there’s a certain “beauty in the eye of the beholder” element that can be difficult to navigate for the Pistons, and any potential receiving team.
So, what type of situation do the Pistons find themselves in here?
Stewart is extremely difficult to project in other systems, particularly as he’s already been on the receiving end of a high minutes total. Over the course of four seasons, he’s played 26 minutes per game, over 235 games.
That, then, makes him a bit of a hard sell, and the Pistons might need to adjust their expectations in terms of what they could be getting back.
For Stewart, the mission of next season is quite clear. Whether he sticks in Detroit, or is dealt, and whether he plays 30 minutes per game, or 18, he will need to show the basketball world something new to shut down the question marks.
Usually, 23-year-old cost-controlled players should be of enormous interest to many teams. But the fact that he’s playing a position that’s no longer receiving huge money offers, and he’s not necessarily a no-nonsense starter, his situation has become muddied and complicated.
It’s up to him to change that perception. With financial security in hand for at least the next three seasons, perhaps now more than ever, Stewart can focus all of his attention on breaking through on a league-wide basis.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
