While there was a ton of movement in this year's NBA Draft, there weren't a lot of trades involving current players. In Day 2 of the 2026 Draft, though, that changed. The Detroit Pistons traded veteran center Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, Detroit snagged three second-round picks from Memphis.

This might look like a puzzling trade on paper. Let's dissect this draft-day trade and grade both the Grizzlies and the Pistons in this year's NBA Draft.

Grizzlies take a flier on promising center

The Memphis Grizzlies are gearing up for a deep rebuild. The writing was on the wall at the start of the 2025-26 season. After a dismal start to the year, Memphis started the painful process by trading Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. The final piece that needs to go is Ja Morant, and the Grizzlies are trying their hardest to trade the star.

Why, then, would the Grizzlies trade three of their second-round picks back to the Pistons for another player? Because Stewart could, in theory, help their development in more ways than one. Stewart emerged as an underrated young big man last season, with his defense and rebounding becoming key to Detroit's surge last season. He's also displayed some upside on offense in the past, shooting a respectable 38% from deep a few years ago.

More importantly, though, the Grizzlies need to have more bodies behind Zach Edey. When the Canadian center is on the court, he is a game-warping presence. However, his health was shaky throughout the year. Having more big bodies like Stewart to back up Edey will help preserve the star's health.

Add the fact that Stewart's contract is still team-controlled (a $15 million team option in 2027), and this deal looks like a great one for the Grizzlies. If Beef Stew develops with Memphis, we could see the foundations of the rebirth of the Grit n' Grind Grizzlies.

Grade: B+

Pistons clear up cap space for big moves

How do you have a disappointing finish to a season where you finished first in the conference for the first time in nearly 20 years?

You have a postseason like the Detroit Pistons had.

Detroit's playoff run in 2026 was absolutely dismal. Despite being the first seed in the Eastern Conference, they struggled against the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic. Having to come back from a 3-1 deficit against the eighth seed is a brutal showing. While they did make it into the second round, their performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers was not inspiring, to say the least.

Now, the Pistons have a big offseason ahead of them. Jalen Duren is due a new contract, and the Pistons don't exactly have the cap space to re-sign Duren AND keep their flexibility. Stewart was the unfortunate casualty of Detroit's cap-saving mission, and it's easy to see why. Stewart was borderline unplayable in the postseason due to his offensive struggles, further exposing the struggling Duren in the series.

The Pistons have more ways to clear up cap space by letting go of a few of their bench players. With their sights set on players like Austin Reaves this offseason, letting Stewart was a necessary sacrifice. It's not a flashy move, and it might not be popular to fans, but it's at least a net positive and the Pistons don't lose too much depth.

Grade: B