The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons in a draft-night trade, addressing one of the biggest areas of need for the team this offseason: a reliable center.
The Grizzlies entered the offseason with questions about their center position after failing to draft a center with either of their two first-round picks or their second-round selection. However, the acquisition of Stewart has quieted those concerns.
Stewart, 25, spent his first six seasons with the Pistons, becoming a key voice in the team's transition from one of the NBA's worst teams to a playoff contender. Memphis is entering a new era, one that will be built on toughness and physicality, and Stewart's addition is a piece the Grizzlies hope will help signify that shift.
"I think Memphians are going to love him," said Omari Sankofa II, a Detroit Free Press Pistons reporter who covered Stewart's tenure in Detroit. "Outside of Detroit, I think Memphis is one of the cities that will embrace him for everything that he is. Especially for a city that likes wrestling. He's just the perfect wrestling heel type guy. That's just who he is."
Stewart is still young, but he'll be one of the more experienced players on Memphis' roster. He has played postseason basketball the past two seasons and endured multiple rebuilding years in Detroit.
"He's a good mentor," said Mike Curtis, a Dallas Mavericks reporter who covered Stewart during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons in Detroit. "You got a lot of young guys over there. I think he'll be a good vet. He doesn't have the most talent on the roster, but the wisdom that he's coming into this new roster with will bode well for those young guys."
Stewart's experience in navigating difficult situations should help a young roster navigate the inevitable struggles that come with a rebuild. He transitioned to a reserve role in 2024-25 as the Pistons improved from 14 wins to 44, and his minutes declined, but his impact remained noticeable.
"For as long as I've known him, he's been labeled the heart and soul of that team," said Curtis. "Everybody knows Cade (Cunningham) is the best player, but the identity was rooted in what Isaiah Stewart brought to the table."
Stewart has been praised for his ability to defend the rim and defend his teammates, earning him the label of enforcer or protector. He has graded out as one of the NBA's better rim protectors in recent seasons, posting a block percentage above 6.5% in each of the past two seasons.
Although Stewart is listed at 6-foot-8, he has a 7-4 wingspan, which gives him an advantage on the court. "On the court he's closer to a 6-10 or 6-11 because of his arms," said Sankofa. "I think more than anything, it's just his understanding of where to be and his timing. You're probably not going to see a guy block more dunks than he will. He's a guy that's going to go after everything."
Stewart's offensive development will be an important part of his role in Memphis. He's more limited offensively, but that will be an important part of his role behind Zach Edey. "He's got some touch inside and out," said Sankofa. "That's really a lot of it for him. He'll have the occasional game where he might get hot or pop off for 20 points."
The Grizzlies are entering a new era, and Stewart's addition is a key piece of that puzzle. With his experience, leadership, and physicality, he's poised to make an impact in Memphis.
Source: Yahoo Sports