Isaiah Stewart II is embracing a new opportunity with the Memphis Grizzlies after being surprised by his trade from the Detroit Pistons.
Stewart initially believed he might end up with either the Los Angeles Lakers or Washington Wizards. Instead, Memphis emerged as his destination, and the veteran big man is pleased with the outcome.
“I’m excited. I think this looks good on me, too – this Grizzly blue,” Stewart told Andscape.
Memphis acquired Stewart as part of a six-team trade that sent John Collins, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince to Detroit. While Stewart described leaving the Pistons as “bittersweet,” he said he will always have affection for Detroit.
His agent, Drew Gross, informed him that the situation had changed quickly once the Grizzlies presented Detroit with an offer.
“[Gross] called me back a couple of minutes later and said, ‘Hey, Trajan called. He’s telling me he got a deal from Memphis that he can’t turn down,’” Stewart said. “And a few minutes later it came out that I got traded to Memphis. I didn’t know how to feel. I wasn’t mad about it. I was happy that I was moving on to a new chapter.”
It marked the first trade of Stewart’s NBA career, forcing him to quickly think about adjusting to a different organization, system and group of teammates.
“At first I was like, ‘Man, so first time I got traded in my career, and I’m in Memphis.’ New teammates, new guys in the system. My mind just started going that way. And I’m thankful because I’m somewhere where I’m really wanted. And the fanbase already respects and loves who I am. I’d rather be where I’m wanted than headed back into a situation where it’s not the best.”
Isaiah Stewart Excited For ‘New Chapter’ With Grizzlies https://t.co/p7bW3D9G7s
— RealGM (@RealGM) August 8, 2026
