Unconventional option could save Isaiah Stewart in Detroit

The Detroit Pistons appear to be active this offseason in their mission to get what they need to put a title contender around Cade Cunningham. 

That activity has stirred up rumors that Isaiah Stewart is on the trade table, which is understandable given his contract and impact. He’s one of the best rim protectors in the league on a relatively team-friendly deal, so there are plenty of teams that would like Beef Stew’s services. 

He’d be a tough player for the Pistons to give up, as he’s been crucial to this turnaround and is a big part of their identity. I’d love a world where the Pistons can get the offensive help they need without giving up Stewart, though the reality of the situation makes that unlikely. 

It would also be tough because the Pistons have only scratched the surface of what Stewart can be and watching him become a stretch with another team would be painful. 

So why not just do it in Detroit? 

The Pistons may need a good defender at the four 

If the Pistons were able to land a player like Tyler Herro, it would necessitate upgrading the defense at the four, as Jalen Duren is already an average to below average defender at center. 

The Pistons have tried the two-bigs approach with Duren/Stewart with middling results, so that’s probably not a road they want to go down again, at least not full time. 

I’m also not suggesting the Pistons move Stewart to the four-spot full time, but if he could just get back to what he was doing two seasons ago, he could be the exact type of guy they will be looking for if they have to trade him away.

 Stewart could also be a fit with either Duren or Paul Reed if he'd just make shooting a focus again.

There is a shooter to unlock in Isaiah Stewart 

Stewart is only 25, just entering his prime, so it’s not like he’s an ancient dog who can’t learn new tricks.  

And he doesn’t have to, as Stewart has already shown he can shoot, as he had two seasons where he shot around four attempts per game from long range, in the last one he hit 38 percent of them. 

Instead of building on that, the Pistons decided to strip back Stewart's offensive game in the last two seasons. It's paid off defensively, but they potentially missed out on a much more valuable player.

If the Pistons keep Stewart, they need that shooter back, as he offers next to nothing around the rim on offense, and they need guys who can space the floor. 

We’ve heard this song before, but the only logical way the Pistons can keep Stewart around is if he starts shooting more 3-point shots, it’s that simple. 

Keeping Stewart and letting him play a more hybrid stretch four/five like Naz Reid would allow the Pistons to keep their rim protector and look for a more offensive-minded player for the starting five. 

As a fan, I want the Pistons to find a way to keep Stewart. I’ll understand if it’s not possible, but either way, he has to start shooting more to max out his ceiling, whether it’s with Detroit or someone else. 

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