The Detroit Pistons dropped jaws around the Association on the second night of the 2026 NBA Draft. Faced with an opportunity to build out the rotation, Detroit traded a fan favorite for the sole purpose of acquiring second-round draft picks and cap space.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Detroit has traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the three second-round picks.
Just in: The Detroit Pistons are trading C/F Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Pistons clear Stewart's salary and pick up assets while Grizzlies acquire a 25-year-old as a rugged frontcourt piece. pic.twitter.com/V8zbaI5OXr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Detroit is reportedly receiving the same three second-round draft picks that they initially traded to Memphis on the first night of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Memphis is trading these same three second-round picks that the Grizzlies received from the Pistons last night, sources say, back to Detroit, in order to land Isaiah Stewart. https://t.co/sSmat0b9sN
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 25, 2026
It's a baffling decision after Stewart turned in an elite defensive season during the 2025-26 campaign, which leaves one to come to one conclusion: Something big is brewing.
Wow. Pistons opening up cap space to do something big. https://t.co/7OaVuSbI90
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 25, 2026
Correction: Something big better be brewing if Detroit is going to justify giving up one of their best defenders in exchange for future second-round compensation.
Pistons trade Isaiah Stewart for three second-round picks
Stewart is due to make $15 million in 2026-27. Trading him has thus cleared considerable space for the Pistons to become even more active in improving their roster. The timing of the trade certainly suggests they could do exactly that with a high-profile follow-up deal.
Though it could be pure coincidence, it's worth noting that earlier on the same day, Charania reported that the Boston Celtics are attempting to trade Jaylen Brown.
Reporting for ESPN NBA Draft show on the Boston Celtics actively engaged in trade talks surrounding Jaylen Brown: pic.twitter.com/pQtHp1zJNm
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
It's far too soon to connect the dots, but the stars seem to be aligning to some degree. If that proves to be the case, then the heartbreak of trading a fan favorite in Stewart could begin to be mended by the arrival of an All-NBA player in Brown.
If the Pistons aren't going in on Brown, however, then one can't help but wonder why they'd give up on Stewart without something concrete in the works.
Detroit won 60 games during the 2025-26 regular season and secured their first postseason series win since 2008. Stewart was instrumental to the Pistons' success, ranking in the 99th percentile in rim protection, per Basketball Index.
Unfortunately, Stewart's tenure with the Pistons has come to an end after six memorable seasons. It won't be clear how to frame or grade the trade until the next move is revealed.
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