Detroit Pistons: Best and worst-case scenarios for Isaiah Stewart

Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart can become the next Bam Adebayo

Modern bigs are expected to do a lot more than they were in the 1980’s and 90’s, when most centers lived in the lane on both ends of the floor.

Now centers are expected to be able to switch on the perimeter, to stay in front of guards and to knock down shots from long distance.

Guys like Bam Adebayo can make an impact defensively by guarding just about everyone and are tough to cover because they can step out and hit a jumper.

I think the best-case scenario for Isaiah Stewart is that he becomes the next Bam Adebayo, a center who will switch on the perimeter, block shots and knock them down.

Stewart has already flashed more range than Adebayo, hitting 33 percent of his 3-point attempts last season and looking more comfortable shooting them as the season went on.

But it is not all about the 3-pointer as Stewart also hit 54 percent from 10-14 feet, 66 percent from 15-19 feet and 37 percent from 25-29 feet.

People tend to forget that Stewart was ranked as the best center in his class coming out of high school and that he is much more than just a bruiser.

If he can start running a pick-and-pop with Cade Cunningham, it is going to be very difficult to stop, and will raise the ceiling of what Stewart can be overall.

I think the best-case scenario is that he averages 12 points a game, pulls down close to 10 rebounds and continues to block shots at a high rate, averaging close to two per game.

Stewart can morph into a double-double machine who blocks shots and is more than just dunks and put backs on offense. If he develops a jumper he can be a future All-Star.

But what if he doesn’t?