One door for the Boston Celtics to add frontcourt depth has officially closed. According to ESPN Insider Shams Charania, the Detroit Pistons have traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three second-round picks.
Just in: The Detroit Pistons are trading C/F Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. Pistons clear Stewart's salary and pick up assets while Grizzlies acquire a 25-year-old as a rugged frontcourt piece. pic.twitter.com/V8zbaI5OXr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Stewart’s $15 million salary could’ve easily fit into Boston’s $27 million trade exception. If they were as interested in him as they’ve been in years past, the price wasn’t all that steep. Three second-rounders would’ve been easily affordable for the Cs.
The 24-year-old’s combination of rim protection, toughness, and ability to knock down occasional threes would’ve made him a welcome addition to Boston’s roster. That skillset would’ve given the Cs a happy medium between Neemias Queta and Luka Garza’s respective games.
Stewart finished seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting after a solid season for the first place Pistons. His 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game gave Detroit a strong backup option behind All-Star center Jalen Duren -- at least in the regular season.
Beef Stew saw his minutes slashed in half during the playoffs, as Paul Reed emerged as an impactful backup for the Pistons. Detroit’s decision to ultimately trade him doesn’t come as a surprise because of how little they depended on him in the postseason.
There are options for the Celtics beyond just Isaiah Stewart
Boston should be fine, though.
The Celtics will almost certainly look to add another big to the roster. Brad Stevens said as much during his NBA Draft night availability on Tuesday.
“I think we need to look at size,” Stevens told reporters at the Auerbach Center, via CLNS Media. “And then I do think that we will look to add -- we have pick No. 40, right -- whether that is someone that we ultimately roster or [sign to a] two-way, or whatever, we’ll figure all that stuff out. But, I do think that [we need] size, and I think we’d like to add one more person with speed on the perimeter.”
Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III make a lot of sense
They’ve still got the entire trade exception at their disposal, as well as the full $15 million mid-level exception, and $5.5 million biannual exception to use in free agency. Boston should at least get the chance to negotiate with Robert Williams III and Mitchell Robinson next month.
NBA Insider Jake Fischer recently reported that the Cs have flirted with the idea of bringing Williams III back to Boston after trading him to the Portland Trail Blazers three years ago.
It’s unclear whether or not the New York Knicks will let Robinson truly think about leaving. He played a sizable role in their first NBA championship in 53 years thanks to his perpetual offensive rebounding presence.
Though Stewart would’ve been a nice get, apparently for cheap, the search for frontcourt depth doesn’t start and end with him.
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