Now talk about an offseason shock. After making all three of their selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies have now just acquired Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons for three second-round picks. If there is a player that perfectly fits grit and grind, it is simply Isaiah Stewart.
The Grizzlies desperately needed to add some frontcourt depth behind Zach Edey going into next season. Cam Boozer should slot in to the starting power forward spot right away. However, the Karim Lopez and Richie Saunders picks raised the question of what the Grizzlies' offseason approach to adding another center would be.
Using the three second-round picks that the Grizzlies acquired from the Pistons yesterday to move down from #18 to #21, the Grizzlies just found an amazing answer in the form of Isaiah Stewart.
Isaiah Stewart was selected 16th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2020 NBA Draft before a series of trades eventually sent him to Detroit. For his career, Stewart has 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 stocks (steals and blocks) per game. But the impact he is about to have on the Grizzlies will extend far beyond the stat sheet.
The Grizzlies needed another frontcourt option and culture setter
The Grit and Grind Era years ago was well known for its toughness and created the most successful era of Grizzlies basketball so far. Even though the Grizzlies have not fully recaptured that identity since, Dillon Brooks was a key tone-setter for the Grizzlies early in the Next Gen Era.
While controversial at times, Dillon Brooks helped the Grizzlies have an identity and really embraced the villain role. Since Brooks left, the Grizzlies had desperately been looking for a player to fill that void. They now have it after acquiring Isaiah Stewart. Even though Edey had also shown signs of it as a rookie, it was clear that the Grizzlies desperately needed another enforcer.
Now, besides the grit that Stewart will bring, his skillset will be extremely useful behind Zach Edey. Listed at 6 foot 8 and 250 pounds, Stewart is capable of playing both as a power forward and a center. Even though he is a bit undersized for a center, he is a valuable defender and should really help to mitigate the defensive struggles the Grizzlies had last season with Edey off the floor.
Given the Grizzlies' commitment to dominating the possession battle with some of their recent drafts, Stewart adds another source of rebounding for the team. Even though Stewart does not shoot a super high volume of threes, he is a career 34.3% three-point shooter who can occasionally space the floor.
Just like how Isaiah Stewart was a crucial culture guy for a recently rebuilding Pistons team, Stewart could end up being a crucial veteran voice that helps the Grizzlies return to winning sooner.
With the 2026 NBA Draft and now the trade for Isaiah Stewart, the Grizzlies have a clear path towards somewhat replicating the Grit and Grind era we saw in Memphis.
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