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The Pistons will have a completely new look when training camp starts on Sept. 29. While several new players will wear the franchise's red, white and blue practice jerseys for the first time, the absence of Isaiah Stewart will be one of the most noteworthy examples that the Pistons have moved into a new era.
Stewart's six-year tenure with the franchise ended in June when the Pistons traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round draft picks.
In an interview with ESPN's Marc J. Spears, Stewart expressed his excitement about starting a "new chapter" in Memphis.
Stewart revealed that he wanted to leave Detroit after feeling unappreciated and confused about changes in his role on the team. The inconsistencies became evident during the Pistons' run to the Eastern Conference semifinals, when his postseason playing time dropped to just 11.8 minutes per game, compared to an average of 22.7 minutes during the regular season.
“When things are out of your control, the only thing you can do is pray,” Stewart told Spears. “And I was in a situation where you will work so hard and you have a goal, you are putting your all into something, and you’re not able to get a certain opportunity or reap that kind of reward.
“You don’t know why, and it’ll make you question yourself, stress yourself out because of the passion and love you have for the game. We felt all we could do is just pray. Let the Lord figure it out, because he always works things out for us.”
More: Have Pistons done enough to improve team's ball-handling needs? Analysis
Stewart's role diminished significantly during the playoffs, raising questions about whether he had fully recovered from the calf injury that kept him sidelined for three consecutive weeks in March. Following Detroit's Game 3 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 9, Stewart told The Detroit News that he was "100% healthy," adding that his reduced playing time in the playoffs was the result of coach J.B. Bickerstaff's preferred game plan.
"I've been available to play," Stewart said in May. "With the minutes, it's the coach's game plan; you have to trust and respect it. All I can do is control what I can control. Obviously, I would love to be out there, but all I can do is trust the game plan and be a great teammate."
Although Stewart yearned to join a new team after a disappointing playoff performance, his departure coincided with changes within the franchise.
With Stewart's role declining, Paul Reed took the helm as the Pistons' backup big man. He played in nine playoff games and improved Detroit's performance on both ends of the court, averaging 7.4 points while shooting 66.7% from the field.
In addition to Reed, moving on from Stewart was also instrumental from a financial standpoint. Stewart is set to make $30 million over the next two years, and the trade created additional cap space that will eventually help Detroit sign Jalen Duren to a long-term extension.
More: Are CBA rules impacting contract dispute between Pistons, Jalen Duren?
"I didn’t know how to feel," Stewart told Spears about being traded. "I wasn’t mad about it. I was happy that I was moving on to a new chapter.
“At first I was like, ‘Man, so first time I got traded in my career, and I’m in Memphis.’ New teammates, new guys in the system. My mind just started going that way. And I’m thankful because I’m somewhere where I’m really wanted. And the fanbase already respects and loves who I am. I’d rather be where I’m wanted than headed back into a situation where it’s not the best.”
While the Pistons and Duren remain in a standoff, Stewart believes that his former "Dawg Pound" teammate deserves to be rewarded following his All-Star and All-NBA campaign last season. Duren has been eligible to sign a rookie-max extension worth $287 million over five years this summer, but the Pistons have been unwilling to offer him the full amount.
"Stew was not hurt. I give him a ton of credit," president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. "He had a suspension going into All-Star (break), he played for four or five games, and then had an injury to his calf. There was some slight deconditioning at the wrong time. I don't think he was at the height of his conditioning, but he came in and gave us what we could at that time."
With the move to Memphis, Stewart acknowledges that he is joining a team that is not yet ready to compete for championships. However, he is excited about the opportunity to help the Grizzlies become relevant again and move the franchise forward in its rebuilding project. After finishing the 2025-26 season with a 25-57 record, the Grizzlies missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Stewart plans to draw on the lessons and experiences that established him as one of the Pistons' core players since his arrival in 2020.
Stewart played in 365 career games for the Pistons, averaging 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game during his tenure. From the moment he arrived, Stewart took pride in embodying the spirit of Detroit, which will forever make him a fan favorite in the Motor City.
“I have just so much love for the city of Detroit,” Stewart told Spears. “They welcomed me with open arms. Coming in at 19, I instantly went to the community just naturally. There are a lot of great people that are doing a lot of great things in Detroit.”
[email protected]
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Isaiah Stewart opens up on being traded by Pistons, leaving Detroit
Continue reading...
Stewart's six-year tenure with the franchise ended in June when the Pistons traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round draft picks.
In an interview with ESPN's Marc J. Spears, Stewart expressed his excitement about starting a "new chapter" in Memphis.
Stewart revealed that he wanted to leave Detroit after feeling unappreciated and confused about changes in his role on the team. The inconsistencies became evident during the Pistons' run to the Eastern Conference semifinals, when his postseason playing time dropped to just 11.8 minutes per game, compared to an average of 22.7 minutes during the regular season.
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“When things are out of your control, the only thing you can do is pray,” Stewart told Spears. “And I was in a situation where you will work so hard and you have a goal, you are putting your all into something, and you’re not able to get a certain opportunity or reap that kind of reward.
“You don’t know why, and it’ll make you question yourself, stress yourself out because of the passion and love you have for the game. We felt all we could do is just pray. Let the Lord figure it out, because he always works things out for us.”
More: Have Pistons done enough to improve team's ball-handling needs? Analysis
Stewart's role diminished significantly during the playoffs, raising questions about whether he had fully recovered from the calf injury that kept him sidelined for three consecutive weeks in March. Following Detroit's Game 3 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 9, Stewart told The Detroit News that he was "100% healthy," adding that his reduced playing time in the playoffs was the result of coach J.B. Bickerstaff's preferred game plan.
"I've been available to play," Stewart said in May. "With the minutes, it's the coach's game plan; you have to trust and respect it. All I can do is control what I can control. Obviously, I would love to be out there, but all I can do is trust the game plan and be a great teammate."
Although Stewart yearned to join a new team after a disappointing playoff performance, his departure coincided with changes within the franchise.
With Stewart's role declining, Paul Reed took the helm as the Pistons' backup big man. He played in nine playoff games and improved Detroit's performance on both ends of the court, averaging 7.4 points while shooting 66.7% from the field.
In addition to Reed, moving on from Stewart was also instrumental from a financial standpoint. Stewart is set to make $30 million over the next two years, and the trade created additional cap space that will eventually help Detroit sign Jalen Duren to a long-term extension.
More: Are CBA rules impacting contract dispute between Pistons, Jalen Duren?
"I didn’t know how to feel," Stewart told Spears about being traded. "I wasn’t mad about it. I was happy that I was moving on to a new chapter.
“At first I was like, ‘Man, so first time I got traded in my career, and I’m in Memphis.’ New teammates, new guys in the system. My mind just started going that way. And I’m thankful because I’m somewhere where I’m really wanted. And the fanbase already respects and loves who I am. I’d rather be where I’m wanted than headed back into a situation where it’s not the best.”
While the Pistons and Duren remain in a standoff, Stewart believes that his former "Dawg Pound" teammate deserves to be rewarded following his All-Star and All-NBA campaign last season. Duren has been eligible to sign a rookie-max extension worth $287 million over five years this summer, but the Pistons have been unwilling to offer him the full amount.
"Stew was not hurt. I give him a ton of credit," president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. "He had a suspension going into All-Star (break), he played for four or five games, and then had an injury to his calf. There was some slight deconditioning at the wrong time. I don't think he was at the height of his conditioning, but he came in and gave us what we could at that time."
With the move to Memphis, Stewart acknowledges that he is joining a team that is not yet ready to compete for championships. However, he is excited about the opportunity to help the Grizzlies become relevant again and move the franchise forward in its rebuilding project. After finishing the 2025-26 season with a 25-57 record, the Grizzlies missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Stewart plans to draw on the lessons and experiences that established him as one of the Pistons' core players since his arrival in 2020.
Stewart played in 365 career games for the Pistons, averaging 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game during his tenure. From the moment he arrived, Stewart took pride in embodying the spirit of Detroit, which will forever make him a fan favorite in the Motor City.
“I have just so much love for the city of Detroit,” Stewart told Spears. “They welcomed me with open arms. Coming in at 19, I instantly went to the community just naturally. There are a lot of great people that are doing a lot of great things in Detroit.”
[email protected]
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Isaiah Stewart opens up on being traded by Pistons, leaving Detroit
Continue reading...
