Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons agree to four-year extension
The Detroit Pistons have agreed to a four-year, $64 million extension with big man Isaiah Stewart, according to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Detroit Pistons F/C Isaiah Stewart has agreed on a four-year, $64 million rookie contract extension, his agent Drew Gross of @RocNationSports tells ESPN. Stewart gets the first non-maximum extension for the 2020 draft class. pic.twitter.com/9a2W7tLj23
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2023
Pistons general manager Troy Weaver selected Stewart in the first round 2020 NBA Draft alongside Killian Hayes and Saddiq Bey, who has since been traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Out of Weaver’s inaugural draft in Detroit, Stewart is the first to receive an extension.
In 2022-23, Stewart averaged 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, the first time he eclipsed 10 points per game in his career. The Detroit Pistons currently have a log jam in the frontcourt. Alongside Stewart, the organization has Jalen Duren, James Wiseman and Marvin Bagley.
Stewart, 22, gained experience playing power forward last season. That is a key part of his future in Detroit as Bagley is the only other member of the aforementioned frontcourt players that is capable of playing the four. Additionally, he made strides as a 3-point shooter as he shot 32.7 percent on 4.1 attempts per game.
An annual average value that sits around $16 demonstrates where Stewart sits in the front court pecking order. That firmly places him above Bagley, but that does not come as a surprise. It is more crucial that he will be in the fold for the foreseeable future.
Stewart’s extension should also close any trade talks surrounding the big man. Previously, rival offices viewed Stewart as a movable piece even though a trade seemed unlikely. Stewart has been highly regarded as an important piece of the Pistons’ culture. That is a crucial aspect of any rebuilding team.
After Stewart’s extension, the Detroit Pistons now have several other young players to focus on that extension eligible, beginning with Hayes and Wiseman who can be extended this offseason. Next offseason, the team will be able to extend Cade Cunningham.
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