Celtics, Spurs, Heat and Bucks could battle for Pistons $60 million trade candidate
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Celtics, Spurs, Heat and Bucks could battle for Pistons $60 million trade candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Detroit Pistons took a step in the right direction in 2025, as J.B. Bickerstaff's young squad won 60 games, were the No. 1 seed in the East, and won a playoff series over the Orlando Magic before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 2.
However, with the Pistons now in their window to compete for a title, the team could look to retool the roster a bit this summer, and one move they could make is trading center Isaiah Stewart.
Stewart has been a solid role player for Detroit since entering the league as the No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. However, the Pistons desperately need to add more perimeter shooting, and with Paul Reed emerging as a viable backup big man behind Jalen Duren, Stewart has become expendable.
"League sources say Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart is available. The Pistons, in search of additional shooting and playmakers, appear ready to rely on seventh-year big man Paul Reed in an increased role," The Athletic's Sam Amick reported.
Celtics, Spurs, Heat, and Bucks reportedly interested in Stewart
With Stewart on the trade block, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that four teams have shown interest in acquiring the 25-year-old center.
Those teams are the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Boston will be in the market for a big man, as Nikola Vučević is set to hit free agency, and the Celtics are incredibly thin at center. Stewart would be a logical trade target to bolster the front court and a potential backup plan for Boston if they can't get Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks.
It is worth noting that Stewart's small 6-foot-8 frame for a center could scare away Boston and other interested teams. Though Stewart is tenacious and can stretch the floor at a viable level, his size could raise some concerns in a full-time starting role.
Speaking of the Bucks, it wouldn't make sense for them to make any trades until after the Giannis situation is sorted out. However, they could target Stewart to replace Antetokounmpo as the franchise heads toward a rebuild.
San Antonio and Miami aren't in desperate need of front-court help, but Stewart could still play valuable minutes for both teams. Like the Celtics, the Heat could pivot toward a trade for Stewart with Detroit if they fail to land Antetokounmpo.
Overall, if the Pistons do trade Stewart, they should get solid value back, as the New York native is one of the better backup bigs in the sport and has the versatility to play power forward and center.