Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said earlier this summer that the organization believes the team can improve and become “a championship contender.” But, for the Pistons to accomplish that feat, it may cost them some depth.
Isaiah Stewart Among 3 Pistons Who Could Be Traded
“We’re always going to feel like we can get better, and that’s the goal: to be a championship contender,” Langdon said about whether he will take a swing at bringing in a second scorer to complement Cade Cunningham. “We didn’t think it would come this fast- these questions about being a championship contender after Year 2. We have to factor that into the equation as well. Two years ago, when I took the job, nobody in here thought I’d be getting championship contender questions two years later. But here we are.”
Detroit is coming off a historic season, albeit a somewhat disappointing playoff run. For the third time in franchise history, the Pistons won 60 games as they claimed their first division title since 2007-08. The Pistons also made the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since the late 2000s. While the Cleveland Cavaliers ousted the Pistons in the second round, they did win a playoff series for the first time since claiming their last NBA championship in 2008.
Things To Do This Summer
Detroit has several things to do this summer. The Pistons are projected to have $30 million in cap space this summer, with 11 players under contract. However, the Pistons have some key forthcoming decisions, starting with the NBA draft. The Pistons own the No. 21 draft pick later this month.
Could they trade the pick? Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City believes it could happen.
“Since Detroit hopes to be a title contender next season, it’s hard for any rookie selected in the bottom half of the first round to contribute at a high level, said Yolbulan said today. “So, the Pistons have a few options, including trading the pick.”
After the draft, the Pistons’ main decisions are pretty much a given: offer Jalen Duren a qualifying offer and exercise Daniss Jenkins’ team option. Duren is expected to remain with the Pistons after signing a huge contract extension. Tobias Harris and Javonte Green are also expected to return despite being unrestricted free agents. Additionally, Ausar Thompson is slated to sign a rookie extension this summer. But his salary for the upcoming campaign is basically locked in at 11.1 million.
So, if the Pistons do indeed keep their pick and re-sign all the above players, they would have 14 players under contract and would project to be at the luxury tax threshold. The Pistons could save cap space by waiving Duncan Robinson, who has a small guarantee of $2 million of his $15.99 million deal. Doing so would make no sense as Robinson is the Pistons’ best shooter and had one of the best seasons of his career.
Isaiah Stewart Among 3 Pistons Who Could Be Traded: Where Could He Land
Detroit has some trade chips if that is the route they decide to go. Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, and Ron Holland are the Pistons’ best trade chips.
Stewart bounced back from a down season in 2024-25 to finish seventh in the 6th Man of the Year voting. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 55% from the field in 58 games this past season. He produced two double-doubles and scored in double figures 23 times, topping the 20-point mark three times.
However, Stewart, aka Beef Stew, struggled during the playoffs. So much so that Langdon and coach JB Bickerstaff mentioned he was unplayable during the Cavs series, which is why Paul Reed got more minutes.
Stewart is a defensive force and physical presence. He is expected to draw trade interest this summer, as he has a reasonable contract with two years and $30 million left on his deal; the 2027-28 season is a team option.
“If I had to put money on it, I’d bet on Isaiah Stewart returning next season Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press said. But will his name come up in trade talks? I’m sure of it. He has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract – a very reasonable figure for one of the league’s top rim protectors. Postseason performance aside, Stewart is a coveted player. Last season overall was his best, setting a new career high in blocks per game (1.6) while averaging under 23 minutes, anchoring the No. 2 defense in the league. His outside shooting, while not as prevalent as the last two seasons, is still an asset to his game.
Isaiah Stewart is expected to draw trade interest this summer, per @omarisankofa
“Will his name come up in trade talks? I’m sure of it. He has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract – a very reasonable figure for one of the league’s top rim protectors. Postseason… pic.twitter.com/Wpg8QYMQ1B
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 7, 2026
Who Could Be Interested In Beef Stew?
Stewart has already been linked to a few teams. The New Orleans Pelicans and Cleveland Cavaliers have been specifically named as teams interested in the 6-8 big, with others also expected, like perhaps the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Brooklyn Nets.
“The New Orleans Pelicans’ glaring hole at center is well-documented,” Yolbulan said in a different article. “If they end up making just one addition this summer, it will almost certainly be for a starting center. The free agent market for centers lacks quality options, so the Pelicans’ best bet will be the trade market. Latest rumors out of Detroit suggest that an ideal fit may be available for the Pelicans.”
“Isaiah Stewart is a name that continues to pop up in trade rumors,” Yolbulan continued. “The host of the Locked On Pistons podcast, Ku Khahil, confirmed these rumors and said that among Detroit’s young players, Stewart may be the most likely trade candidate. Stewart is a beloved player in Detroit, but it makes a ton of sense for the Pistons to consider trading him. They have Jalen Duren and Paul Reed in their center rotation. Duren is set to be paid around $40 million per year under his new extension this summer. Reed has emerged as an excellent backup center in the playoffs, outplaying Stewart during the Pistons’ postseason run.”
What Could The Pistons Receive For Isaiah Stewart?
Detroit needs a secondary scorer to complement Cade Cunningham, ball-handling, and a stretch-4. What would potential trades look like?
Pelicans Trade
New Orleans will enter the offseason way over the cap, so both teams will have to send out salary in this deal. Herb Jones‘ name has been floated as a possible one-for-one deal, but the Pelicans have been reluctant to move Jones, and Stewart doesn’t figure to move the needle. However, another trade could be intriguing if the Pels really want Stewart.
Pelicans Receive
Isaiah Stewart
Pistons Receive
Not only would Detroit save some money, but the deal ($8.4 difference) would also likely get the Pistons under the NBA luxury tax. Missi saw his production and role decrease this past season. But the 22-year-old would be an excellent replacement for Stewart due to his physicality, rim protection, and vertical spacing.
Bey, the Pistons’ No. 19 pick in 2020, is coming off a career season and is a legitimate floor spacer — making 2.2 threes at 35.5% for his career. He would give the Pistons the secondary scorer they need and a switchable 3-and-4 forward.
Cavaliers Trade
Cleveland Receives
Isaiah Stewart
Detroit Receives
The Pistons would add $1.8 million to their ledger in this deal. Strus, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, was limited to 12 regular-season games this past season. Still, he scored in double figures in six of his 18 playoff appearances, topping the 20-point mark twice, while making 2.1 threes at a 35.8% clip. He would give the Pistons a veteran, movement‑shooting wing who would compete on defense. Meanwhile, Stewart would improve the Cavs’ frontcourt depth.
Celtics Trade
Boston Receives
Isaiah Stewart
Detroit Receives
Luka Garza
Trade Exception
Both teams would save cap space in this deal. The deal’s savings ($4.8 million) would likely keep the Pistons below the tax, and the trade doesn’t necessarily need to include Garza.
Rick Osentoski Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
