The Detroit Pistons looked to add a stretch big in the offseason but may have the guy they need on the roster already in Isaiah Stewart, who is already showing a willingness to start shooting 3-point shots again.
Stewart teased the idea during media day, which was music to the ears of Pistons fans who were hoping he’d bring back that wrinkle to his game.
Prior to last season, Stewart had averaged four 3-point attempts per game over the previous two seasons and showed he can knock them down, but he went away from it last season, averaging less than an attempt per game and rarely even looking to shoot.
JB Bickerstaff got Stewart to lean into his defense as a backup center, and it was effective, but Stewart being a 3-point threat will help unlock the Pistons’ offense.
Isaiah Stewart shooting 3-point shots again
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves too much, as Stewart has only attempted three from long range in two preseason games, so he’s not going to suddenly morph into Malik Beasley.
Last season, Stewart didn’t even look at the hoop from out there, which allowed defenses to sag off, and the only attempts he took were a last resort, usually after holding the ball for several seconds.
What I’ve liked about his three attempts in preseason is that they all came within the flow of the half-court offense, and Stewart didn’t hesitate. He shot the ball because he wanted to and was ready to shoot it, not because he didn’t have another choice.
Even if Stewart can get up to 2-3 attempts per game, it will at least force defenses to pay attention to him on the perimeter, which will help create space, especially if he can start hitting them from the pick-and-pop.
The Pistons don’t currently have a big man who is a threat to shoot, which is why they were sniffing around some of the available stretch centers this offseason.
Stewart has started both games in the preseason with Jalen Duren dealing with a minor injury and has looked improved in the pick and roll with Cade Cunningham, so there are hopeful signs that Stewart is going to try and expand his game this season.
The Pistons aren’t going to make up for the loss of Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. with one guy, but they can chip away at their 3-point makes in the aggregate if players like Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland start shooting and making more 3-pointers.