Isaiah Stewart stated he felt unappreciated throughout his time with the Detroit Pistons, regardless of believing he had invested closely in altering the franchise’s tradition. Stewart mentioned his expertise in an interview with Andscape after joining the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason.
“You’ll work so laborious and you’ve got a aim, you might be placing your all into one thing, and also you’re not capable of get a sure alternative or reap that form of reward,” Stewart stated. “You don’t know why, and it’ll make you query your self, stress your self out due to the fervour and love you’ve for the sport.”
Stewart spent his first six NBA seasons with Detroit after the Pistons chosen him sixteenth general within the 2020 NBA Draft. He appeared in 365 video games for the franchise, together with 194 begins, whereas averaging 8.8 factors, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 24.3 minutes.
His function modified considerably over these six seasons. Stewart moved from heart to energy ahead in 2023-24, when he averaged a career-high 30.9 minutes and shot 38.3% from three-point vary on 3.8 makes an attempt per sport.
He returned primarily to heart the next season and have become a reserve in 2024-25, beginning solely 4 of 72 video games. Stewart remained an environment friendly inside scorer, taking pictures 55.9% from the sphere, whereas averaging 6.0 factors and 5.5 rebounds.
The 2025-26 season introduced a bigger offensive function. Stewart averaged 10.0 factors and 5.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes throughout 58 video games, taking pictures 55.0% from the sphere and 33.3% from three-point vary. He additionally averaged 1.6 blocks and completed seventh in Sixth Man of the Yr voting.
Detroit completed the 2025-26 common season with the NBA’s greatest Jap Convention file at 60-22, however its playoff run ended within the convention semifinals. The Pistons defeated Orlando 4-3 in the first round earlier than Cleveland eradicated them 4-3, together with a 125-94 loss in Game 7.
Stewart was traded to Memphis on July 8 because the Grizzlies started a serious roster reset following the departures of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Memphis completed 25-57 final season and is now constructing round younger gamers together with Zach Edey and third overall pick Cameron Boozer.
The transfer offers Stewart a unique alternative after six seasons in Detroit. He stated the choice was in the end about discovering a company the place he felt valued.
“I’d fairly be the place I’m wished than headed again right into a state of affairs the place it’s not the perfect,” Stewart stated.
Stewart additionally framed the uncertainty he skilled in Detroit via his religion, saying, “We felt all we may do is simply pray. Let the Lord determine it out, as a result of He all the time works issues out for us.”
