The man known as "Beef Stew" will now beef up Memphis' frontcourt. Gregory Shamus / Getty ImagesJune 24, 2026 Updated 9:45 pm EDTThe Detroit Pistons have agreed to trade Isaiah Stewart, their longest-tenured player, to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round picks, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.The Pistons will receive a 2029 second-round pick that’s most favorable between Detroit, the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks. They’ll also receive a 2031 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick in addition to their own second-round pick in 2032.The move clears Stewart’s salary off the Pistons’ books. He is slated to make $15 million in each of the next two seasons, with the second a team option. Stewart, 25, averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds in 58 games last season. The Grizzlies will use a trade exception to absorb Stewart’s salary.
Stewart was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 16 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Detroit traded for him after the draft. Stewart was well-respected throughout the Pistons’ locker room and a fan favorite at Little Caesars Arena. His departure makes Cade Cunningham Detroit’s longest-tenured player.Detroit’s move to ship Stewart signals its belief in Paul Reed after he outplayed Jalen Duren and Stewart for the bulk of the postseason. Reed will assume the extra minutes Stewart leaves behind and step into a more prominent role as the primary backup big.ESPN was first to report the news.Jun 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
