Stewart’s stat line from the previous season 10 points, five rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, all while shooting a reliable 55% from the field would make him an appealing addition for numerous franchises. Even though he forms a solid frontcourt pairing with Jalen Duren, the remaining two years and $30 million on Stewart’s deal don’t align with Detroit’s long-term financial strategy.
Though Stewart has been mentioned in the context of a massive three-team swap involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, putting that scenario aside for a moment, which other teams might find his skill set useful heading into the new season?
Could Stewart head north?
A deal with the Toronto Raptors might be plausible. Toronto has been searching for additional size in the frontcourt, while Detroit could clearly benefit from improved passing and outside shooting.
From Detroit’s perspective, moving Stewart to acquire younger pieces like Gradey Dick and Jamal Shead would be a logical move, giving the Pistons a chance to develop them as reserve options behind Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. Shead has served as a backup to Immanuel Quickley, while Dick saw his playing time diminish and could be motivated by a fresh start in Detroit.
Adding a wing via Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers could provide Detroit with a much-needed wing presence in Max Strus, whose skill set would address a glaring need for the Pistons.
Detroit lacks versatile two-way wings capable of relieving pressure on their primary scorers, and Strus seems tailor-made to fill that void. In addition to stretching the floor, he can generate offense by attacking defenders off closeouts, which is another area where Detroit has frequently come up short.
Their recent playoff matchup which Cleveland won saw Strus average roughly 10 points per game, including a 20-point performance off the bench in Game 5 that shifted the series’ momentum in the Cavaliers’ favor.
Stewart’s defense and salary fit with Denver
Denver’s struggles this past season included protecting the rim and defending inside the paint. Stewart, who averaged nearly two blocks per contest, could bring exactly that kind of defensive presence to the Nuggets though he would likely find himself in a similar backup role behind Nikola Jokic, much like his current situation in Detroit.
The financial aspect is what makes this deal attractive for both sides. If Denver were to send out Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun both of whom have been mentioned in trade chatter the Nuggets would save money while the Pistons would receive two rotation-caliber players with championship experience.
Stewart carries a $15 million salary for 2026-27 and a team option at that same figure for 2027-28, summing to $30 million overall. Johnson is slated to earn $23 million, while Braun is at $21.5 million. The finances line up more favorably for Denver, yet landing both Johnson and Braun would only enhance Detroit’s potential as a contender.
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