Isaiah Stewart is pleased about ‘new chapter’ with Memphis Grizzlies

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DE LUZ, Calif. — Before a latest offseason exercise, Isaiah Stewart regarded on the Memphis Grizzlies brand on his new mild blue long-sleeve shirt and smiled. “I’m representing,” he stated.

Stewart spent the previous six seasons of highs and lows with the Detroit Pistons, turning into their longest-tenured athlete. But after front-office turnover in 2024 and a restricted playoff function this previous stretch, the 25-year-old felt his days in Detroit have been numbered and prayed for change.

During the second spherical of the NBA draft in June, Stewart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

“I’m excited. I think this looks good on me, too — this Grizzly blue,” Stewart instructed Andscape from his 28-acre farm and residence final week.

Since being drafted out of the University of Washington with the sixteenth decide within the 2020 NBA draft (a decide made by Portland however promptly traded to Detroit), Stewart turned the Pistons’ emotional heartbeat and defensive anchor. Over six common seasons with the franchise, he logged 365 video games and averaged 8.8 factors and 6.8 rebounds.

Stewart, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound ahead, developed into a giant man with perimeter abilities as Detroit turned issues round. The Pistons went from the worst workforce within the NBA — highlighted by a 28-game shedding streak in 2023-24 — to 60 wins and the very best report within the Eastern Conference final stretch.

The Rochester, New York, native stated he’ll at all times have fond recollections of his time in Detroit.

“I have just so much love for the city of Detroit,” Stewart stated. “They welcomed me with open arms. Coming in at 19, I instantly went to the community just naturally. There are a lot of great people that are doing a lot of great things in Detroit.”

Stewart stated he’s nonetheless very near former Pistons basic supervisor Troy Weaver, who was fired in 2024 and now works for the New Orleans Pelicans. Weaver was changed by Trajan Langdon, who was named the Pistons’ president of basketball operations. Stewart stated Langdon instructed him throughout their first assembly in the summertime of 2024 that he may very well be a commerce candidate.

But Stewart spent two extra seasons with Detroit, averaging 10.0 factors, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per sport final stretch, taking pictures 55% from the sector and ending seventh within the 2026 NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting. He was additionally suspended for seven video games by the NBA on Feb. 11 following a brawl towards the Charlotte Hornets.

During the playoffs, Stewart’s manufacturing dipped to 4.0 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per sport over 14 video games. After averaging 22.7 minutes per sport within the common stretch, he logged simply 11.8 minutes per contest within the postseason. The Pistons’ crown aspirations ended within the second spherical with a loss to the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Bittersweet. We had a great season,” Stewart stated. “Sixty wins. No. 1 in the East. And that’s how I always pictured Detroit being since I got drafted — bringing back that identity, that toughness brand to Detroit. I feel like we did that in the regular season. And the playoffs came and it didn’t go exactly how we planned or talked about.”

Isaiah Stewart goes via an offseason exercise in Temecula, California.Marc J. Spears/Andscape

Stewart stated that final stretch he felt his time with the Pistons was ending. Feeling unappreciated and confused by why issues had modified, he and his spouse, Kiley, prayed for a commerce to a workforce that valued him.

“When things are out of your control, the only thing you can do is pray,” Stewart stated. “And I used to be in a scenario the place you’ll work so arduous and you’ve got a purpose, you might be placing your all into one thing, and also you’re not in a position to get a sure alternative or reap that type of reward.

“You don’t know why, and it’ll make you question yourself, stress yourself out because of the passion and love you have for the game. We felt all we could do is just pray. Let the Lord figure it out, because He always works things out for us.”

While receiving holistic care in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 24, Stewart discovered from his agent, Drew Gross, {that a} commerce was seemingly. Initially anticipated to land with the Los Angeles Lakers or Washington Wizards, Stewart as a substitute found he was dealt to the rebuilding Grizzlies.

“[Gross] called me back a couple of minutes later and said, ‘Hey, Trajan called. He’s telling me he got a deal from Memphis that he can’t turn down,’” Stewart stated. “And a couple of minutes later it got here out that I acquired traded to Memphis. I didn’t know really feel. I wasn’t mad about it. I used to be pleased that I used to be shifting on to a brand new chapter.

“At first I was like, ‘Man, so first time I got traded in my career, and I’m in Memphis.’ New teammates, new guys in the system. My mind just started going that way. And I’m thankful because I’m somewhere where I’m really wanted. And the fanbase already respects and loves who I am. I’d rather be where I’m wanted than headed back into a situation where it’s not the best.”

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Stewart stated Pistons All-Stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren “wished me well” in cellphone calls after the commerce. The Pistons additionally misplaced beginning ahead Tobias Harris to the San Antonio Spurs in free company this offseason, however they added ahead John Collins, rookie guard Ebuka Okorie and veterans Taurean Prince, Gary Harris and Isaiah Joe.

Duren stays an unsigned restricted free agent due to a contract standoff with the Pistons. While the 2026 All-NBA third-team choice is looking for a near-max contract, Detroit is providing about $35 million to $38 million yearly following his disappointing playoff attempt.

Stewart stated he believes Duren needs to be rewarded.

“It’s tricky, but [Duren] proved he’s worth what he’s asking for to the organization, if you ask me,” Stewart stated. “They act like they need him to show it [before last season], and I felt he proved it. He was an All-Star, third-team All-NBA. I really feel like he ought to receives a commission. He’s an enormous core piece. Bring him again. …

“He’s been getting better every year. Third-year All-Star? Like come on, give him the bag. But at the same time, I hope it works out and I hope he gets that money at the end of the day.”

Isaiah Stewart (proper) dives for the ball towards the LA Clippers at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 24, 2025, in Detroit.Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are present process adjustments of their very own.

Since 2023, they’ve traded core gamers comparable to Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks. After profitable simply 25 video games final stretch, the retooled Grizzlies drafted Duke heart Cameron Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, with the third decide within the 2026 draft. Memphis additionally acquired veteran ahead Jerami Grant and have younger expertise on their roster in Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson and Zach Edey.

Though the Grizzlies aren’t projected to conquer a lot subsequent stretch, Stewart believes Memphis will compete.

“I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity,” he stated. “There are a variety of hungry younger guys on the market, too. We all match. We all mesh. I look ahead to placing my finest foot ahead to doing the very best I can to assist this rebuild and switch this round. …

“I got a chance to go to [Memphis] and see where I am living. I’ve met some new teammates. The one thing I noticed was that I was embraced right away. I’m walking into the hotel and the staff is dapping me up and telling me they’re so excited to have me there. I knew right away I’m going to fall in love with the city, and they’re going to respect and love what I do for the city and the organization.”

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Another cause Stewart is happy about coming to Memphis is his hope of reviving the workforce’s “Grit & Grind” custom.

Former Grizzlies gamers Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley constructed a bodily, blue-collar basketball tradition in Memphis within the 2010s. Their relentless protection, inside scoring and toughness matched town’s identification. It all began after a troublesome extra time conquer in November 2011, when Allen regarded right into a sideline digital camera and stated, “All heart, grit, grind.”

Stewart, arguably the NBA’s hardest athlete, actually matches the previous Grizzlies’ status. He stated he hopes to satisfy Allen and believes the custom will be revived by himself, Edey and Boozer.

“I’m familiar with it. Z-Bo [Randolph], Tony Allen, that era,” Stewart stated. “I know they’re dogs — dogs who created that ‘Grit & Grind.’ That is something I want to bring back to the city, the team and get behind that. Let’s do it.”

Stewart moved his belongings from Detroit to his new house in suburban Memphis final week earlier than returning to his farm in Southern California. New York-based basketball coach Jason Cooper has been working with Stewart at a highschool in close by Temecula. Cooper stated he has been conditioning Stewart underneath the steering of the Grizzlies’ attempt employees.

“Obviously, he is going to a new situation, a new opportunity,” Cooper instructed Andscape after a exercise with Stewart on July 29. “So, we’re simply ensuring he stays sharp in sure areas — ensuring he’s taking pictures the ball rather well, particularly out of the actions [like] the pick-and-pops and when he screens down.

“Just being prepared and ready to go. He’s in great shape right now, and he’s been working hard throughout the offseason. [I’m] just making sure he’s moving forward and ready to camp.”

Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA author for Andscape. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, however he hasn’t been in a position to in years and his knees nonetheless harm.