When big man Isaiah Stewart was traded by the Detroit Pistons this summer, a few different destinations were apparently on the table.
While the Memphis Grizzlies were able to land big man Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons earlier this offseason, it sounds like that nearly wasn't the case.
Marc J. Spears of Andscape relayed the details in a recent feature. After Stewart learned from his agent that a trade was likely, it initially looked like he was going to land with the Los Angeles Lakers or Washington Wizards. But a few minutes later, Stewart got a call back from his agent, who said a trade to Memphis was about to come together.
"While receiving holistic care in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 24, Stewart learned from his agent, Drew Gross, that a trade was likely," Spears wrote. "Initially expected to land with the Los Angeles Lakers or Washington Wizards, Stewart instead discovered he was dealt to the rebuilding Grizzlies."
Stewart detailed his reaction.
“[Gross] called me back a couple of minutes later and said, ‘Hey, Trajan [Langdon] called. He’s telling me he got a deal from Memphis that he can’t turn down,’” Stewart said, via Andscape. “And a few minutes later it came out that I got traded to Memphis. I didn’t know how to feel. I wasn’t mad about it. I was happy that I was moving on to a 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.”
Stewart told Andscape that he and his wife prayed for a trade to a team that valued him. Now, he gets to start a new chapter in a place that he feels wanted.
The 25-year-old had a very memorable six-year tenure with the Pistons that came to an end with the trade. A move was perhaps the ideal outcome for all involved parties, as Stewart's Detroit tenure might've run its course.
After having a role that steadily increased in his first four seasons with the team, Stewart was relegated to the bench in each of the past two seasons. While he made the most of it, finishing seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year race this past season, he told Andscape that he felt like his days in Detroit were numbered.
As the ending came into focus, the Pistons reportedly wanted to trade Stewart somewhere where he could compete for more minutes. While he isn't likely to start with the Grizzlies, he will have a chance to hold down a key rotation role.
Stewart made it clear that he loves Detroit, but he also said that he can tell he is going to fall in love with Memphis. He added that he was embraced "right away" after meeting some Grizzlies teammates and staff.
Stewart averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this past season while getting 22.7 minutes per contest off the bench. He shot 55.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from long range. In total, he had three seasons during his Pistons tenure in which he averaged 10+ points per game.
The Grizzlies are going through a rebuild centered around new franchise cornerstone Cameron Boozer. The process will likely feature some ups and downs as the team tries to return to contention, but Stewart said he believes the Grizzlies will compete this coming season.
"I look forward to putting my best foot forward to doing the best I can to help this rebuild and turn this around," he told Andscape.
If everything comes together, Stewart may be able to say that he had a hand in helping the Grizzlies return to relevance in the Western Conference.
