The Pistons may have to cut out their heart to progress

It’s going to hurt my soul to write this, but the Detroit Pistons may have to trade Isaiah Stewart this summer. 

Stewart was fantastic in the regular season, though faced some of the same problems as the year before when it came to staying on the floor due to injuries and suspensions. For various reasons, Stewart only played 58 games this season, which has been an all-too-common occurrence in his career. 

Stewart has established himself as one of the premier rim protectors in the league, a defensive enforcer who is the heart of the team and embodies everything Detroit basketball is about. 

But that doesn’t mean they won’t trade him. 

The Pistons need more from their bench, starting with Stewart 

I love Beef Stew. 

He’s the guy who gets me most fired up when I watch the Pistons, and there were times this season when he was crucial to their success. Unfortunately, that time wasn’t the playoffs. 

Stewart played under 12 minutes per game in the postseason and was eventually benched in favor of Paul Reed. 

Even though he denied it, it did appear Stewart wasn’t 100 percent healthy in the playoffs, so I want to be fair to him, but his health is part of the problem. He plays a tough and physical style, and for two years in a row, wasn't at 100 percent for the playoffs when the Pistons desperately needed him.

The Pistons need a 6th man who is reliable and can produce 

For the second straight year, Isaiah Stewart was basically a no-show in the playoffs, and as the Pistons’ most expensive bench player, that can’t happen. After averaging 23 minutes and 10 points per game in the regular season, Stewart was reduced to just 11.8 minutes and four points per game in the playoffs. 

Stewart is making $15 million a season, which seems like a good deal until you factor in the playoffs. The Pistons were beaten partly because their bench was awful, and they didn’t have a single consistent scoring threat. 

Stewart was soundly outplayed by his backup, who makes $5 million a year, so if the Pistons want to cut some payroll to make additions this summer, Stewart may have to go, as his salary is not matching his contributions, at least in the playoffs, which is how the Pistons will be judged from here on out. 

The Pistons may need his salary 

One of the challenges Detroit faces this summer is their lack of big contracts to match salaries in a trade. Stewart’s $15 million will not only put a dent in any salary matching, but he’s a player with some value that a defensively challenged team may love to have. 

It hurts to say it, but the Pistons may have to cut out the heart of their team. I hope not, as I want Stewart to retire as a Piston, but if they need his salary, it’s hard to justify paying him more than anyone else on the bench. 

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