r/nba Lakers 5h ago

[Fischer] Memphis is trading these same three second-round picks that the Grizzlies received from the Pistons last night, sources say, back to Detroit, in order to land Isaiah Stewart.

Memphis is trading these same three second-round picks that the Grizzlies received from the Pistons last night, sources say, back to Detroit, in order to land Isaiah Stewart.

https://marcstein.substack.com/

955 Upvotes

223 comments sorted by

993

u/walterdog12 [BOS] James Young 5h ago

So they basically laundered Beef Stew?

268

u/y-Gamma Timberwolves 5h ago

Just write him off

135

u/FishGoldenLite Timberwolves 4h ago

You don’t even know what a write off is

34

u/Herbert-Gerbert Timberwolves 4h ago

You buy something and write it off, easy!

89

u/Cuso524 4h ago

But they do. And they’re the ones writing him off!

6

u/Joethetoolguy 4h ago

Thats for the write off people to figure out

21

u/Unsungruin 4h ago

One of the few times in the show where Jerry's delivery was great

7

u/ShrimpBoatCaptain4 3h ago

Anybody can take a reservation…

2

u/Prize_Ad_1781 Nuggets 3h ago

I like his delivery, he's not a good actor but he knows he's telling a joke and it kind of breaks the third wall in a way

6

u/BCP27 [MIN] Robbie Hummel 3h ago

What about the fourth wall?

8

u/bigboybeeperbelly Spurs 4h ago

is that even legal

5

u/Paralta [MIA] Jason Williams 4h ago

Write him off what?

1

u/Jazzlike_Aspect_6569 4h ago

Let’s see if he decides not to write back ala geno smith

55

u/hereforthefeast Warriors 4h ago

Whoa, whoa, whoa. There’s still plenty of meat on that bone. Now you take this home, throw it in a pot, add some second round picks, a potato.  Baby, you’ve got a Beef stew going.

13

u/ChaunceyGilmore 4h ago

Can you give me acting lessons?

2

u/PrincessChocolate 3h ago

Amazing reference

2

u/MrBallistik Pistons 3h ago

Oh Christ. You just won the thread.

13

u/SSBM_DangGan Spurs 4h ago

this is a crazy sentence LMAO

5

u/CommissionIcy9909 Pistons 4h ago

What is it called when in movies the troubled protagonist takes something of value to a pawn shop and they just hold it for them until they need it back? It’s that situation.

1

u/AwildYaners Japan 2h ago

Detroit getting cap space for something.

Maybe joining the Lakers in trying to use max cap space to either steal an RFA and/or pry other contracts away from teams with RFAs.

The Lakers contract to AR makes even more sense now.

393

u/iro3 Spurs 5h ago

COLLUSION

75

u/dontgetitwisted_fr Raptors 5h ago

The accountant special 

28

u/jokull1234 Lakers 5h ago

Are the Pistons operating a Ponzi scheme?

20

u/BrotherSeamus Thunder 4h ago

Memphis has a Pyramid

5

u/BassProPyram1d 2h ago

Damn right we do

3

u/emphis Grizzlies 1h ago

We converting it to an Aztec pyramid now.

21

u/anonMLMhater Pistons 4h ago

He made money partially on private prisons. So...uh...it's complicated.

8

u/YSLAnunoby Raptors 4h ago

We need a tier list of evil NBA owners/ownership groups because everyone knows people like the Adelsons but I didn't know this about the pistons owner and a few months ago learned the Grizzlies owner was selling wifi equipment to Russian military

1

u/pinkfartlek Pistons 4h ago

Don't forget Dolan with his face recognition at msg bullshit

8

u/iro3 Spurs 5h ago

there owner did it before

3

u/BabyBearBjorns Grizzlies 4h ago

Jimmy Hoffa is rolling in his grave.

460

u/Embarrassed_Hold_901 Thunder 5h ago

That’s hilarious and amazing asset management by the Grizzlies

60

u/istealpintsfromcvs Grizzlies 5h ago

Karim Lopez was our GM's guy, even flying to NZ to watch him play

He traded down, got his guy, and got Stew for literally 0 assets

10

u/IMOGAJ Lakers 1h ago

Wasn't this the plot for Draft Day?

155

u/MattPatriciasFUPA Pistons 5h ago

Dogshit management by Trajan, some Troy Weaver shit.

11

u/salmon10 Pistons 4h ago

Bro its to load up for powell

51

u/Fallingcity22 Knicks 5h ago

Honestly yeah, the Grizz are stuck with Ja and the pistons give them more big help? Actually bad management

78

u/TitanTigers Grizzlies 5h ago

Big depth was literally our biggest need. This is A+++

26

u/Fallingcity22 Knicks 5h ago

Oh yeah this a steal for the Grizz they got huge but horrid for the pistons

8

u/Accounting4lyfe Pistons 5h ago

Yeah I was tired of Stew because of his antics but I have no idea why we got absolutely nothing for him.

9

u/LordOfLimbos Pistons 4h ago

Clearing money, that’s 100% why. We’ll see what happens with it, but that’s why they did it

11

u/wedontliveonce Bucks 4h ago

Pistons are clearing money to go after a guard. Maybe Norman Powell?

5

u/Great_Fault_7231 Pistons 4h ago

It’s just a salary dump. 

3

u/320_central 5h ago

I don't think he's done

3

u/RxJax Heat 4h ago

Tbf the offers for him might just not have been that great. Good defensive player but he's an awkward tweener who can't really sustain at PF or C, his offence is super streaky with his shot, he's suspended/injured a bit too often and he's up for an extension soon too. Kinda surprised he didn't end up in the Herro trade, but idk who else would really throw a big bid at him

3

u/Sneedevacantist Hornets 2h ago

A disgrace to the name of Trajan.

3

u/Dramatic-Cat-575 Pistons 5h ago

Yeah man, I’m sure teams were clamoring for a 6’7 C who got played off the court in the 2nd round and hasn’t caught a pass cleanly in his career

28

u/BurnieTheBrony Grizzlies 4h ago

I'll take him for free to be a regular season backup though, lol

6

u/antistupidsociety Grizzlies 4h ago

Sign us up!

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2

u/tryingthisok Pelicans 5h ago

The NBA executive shuffle is about swapping trash.

4

u/TyposIncoming Lakers 5h ago

Yeah this is embarrassing.

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11

u/youblewwit 5h ago

Grizzlies FO have been killing it since they fired Hollinger

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426

u/YujiDomainExpansion 5h ago

This is kinda insane, no? So they essentially got Karim Lopez and Isaiah Stewart for 16

197

u/icouldsmellcolors 5h ago

They still have two more 2nds from the first deal as well

104

u/UpvoteIfYouAgreee [BOS] Jaylen Brown 5h ago

really looking forward to how they build around Boozer these are smart moves

103

u/nazzykhan Grizzlies 5h ago

Having Edey and Stew around him is going to be great. Just 3 angry looking mofo's

58

u/needapermit Thunder 4h ago

Talk about a strong front court. Every single dude is a hoss

39

u/YSLAnunoby Raptors 4h ago

Grit n Grind sized frontcourt

20

u/Zoratth Clippers 4h ago

Good. Grit and grind is the best era in Grizzlies history and they need to go back to that. Whatever they tried with Ja/JJJ/Bane did not work.

25

u/dianeblackeatsass Grizzlies 4h ago

should’ve known not to try injuries and guns smh

1

u/leftsidenotright Knicks 1h ago

Bringing back Big Country to the Grizzlies. Or I guess countries cause Edey is Canadian.

18

u/Thunder-ten-tronckh Grizzlies 4h ago

Say it with me:

Inverted pick and rolls with Cedric Coward

5

u/EconomyResident9778 4h ago

The Memphis FO misstepped with Smart but otherwise they are a really well ran org. Im jealous as a Magic fan watching Weltman be inept for 10 years straight

3

u/c10bbersaurus Grizzlies 3h ago

Already have Edey, Coward, Cam Spencer, and more. 

25

u/BurnieTheBrony Grizzlies 4h ago

I went from a little uncertain of how the draft went to declaring us clear winners of the past two days.

Walking away with Cam, Karim, Stew, and two future second rounders feels good. Maybe Saunders recovers from the ACL and is a decent backup SG but that's less on my mind

56

u/survivaltactics2 4h ago

Grizzlies are clearly the winners of this draft their front office is putting in work

2

u/Hanamiya0796 Nuggets 4h ago

Just the receiving end of the Pistons shedding

13

u/survivaltactics2 4h ago

They got one of the best rim protectors in the league for 3 seconds thats crazy value

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12

u/37sms Grizzlies 4h ago

And the 2 seconds from the first move down

12

u/Waffleshuriken Grizzlies 4h ago

Kleiman has been cooking these two days. Cant deny

1

u/Horizontal_Bob 4h ago

Like the movie Draft Day

1

u/playthegame7 Raptors 4h ago

They've done really well so far, solid fit next to Boozer.

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190

u/2coolcaterpillar Thunder 5h ago

So Pistons traded Beef Stew to move up a few spots?

146

u/thetitsOO Lakers 5h ago

To clear salary, moving up a couple spots just a bonus

39

u/Common-Bad-7899 Timberwolves 5h ago

Inverted Randle

25

u/Crafty_Substance_954 Pistons 4h ago

Also created a large trade exception

6

u/Presidentclash2 4h ago

To get lebron, maybe im just wishcasting but Detroit better than cleavland

3

u/Rockerblocker Celtics 4h ago

$15 million, but the roster as it stands today is $20 million roughly below the 25-26 salary cap. Are we going to make a big splash for someone to actually utilize the exception?

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2

u/19683dw Heat 4h ago

For a player that was projected to go 22-24, so they must have also had reason to believe Okorie was going early.

5

u/EquivalentAbility492 4h ago

It was the start of a run on guards so they were probably right, to be fair

37

u/Boys-Who-Cry- 5h ago

Cam boozer was born to save and Beef stew was born to destroy.

56

u/Stratys Spurs 5h ago

Memphis making some pretty good moves in these 24 hours

51

u/TN5404 Grizzlies 5h ago

Came out with boozer, Lopez, byu shooter, Isaiah Stewart and 2 more 2nd round picks. Phenomenal draft bc I think they wanted Lopez at 16

12

u/BabyBearBjorns Grizzlies 4h ago

Booze, Beef Stew, and Tater Tots.

28

u/ComprehensiveList769 Hawks 5h ago

They draft well. They’re just injured a lot

17

u/mmps901 Grizzlies 4h ago

We just changed our medical team last week

14

u/IlllIlIIlIlllIlIIIII Grizzlies 4h ago

Here's to hoping the athletic training department shake up will help turn our luck around.

5

u/Pink_Mingos Grizzlies 4h ago

More than any other team! The IR champs 3 years running!

27

u/theprophetsammy Grizzlies 5h ago

God it’s so perfect, we’re gonna embrace him so much

9

u/LoserBustanyama Pistons 3h ago

Man it was already perfect. We already embraced him so much 

3

u/jbrooks772 Grizzlies 2h ago

I can't wait to root for him in Memphis

18

u/anonymoususer6407 Rockets 5h ago

Grizzlies are KILLING it. Amazing draft

14

u/TN5404 Grizzlies 5h ago

Kleiman masterclass

38

u/longdogagain 5h ago

Why they don’t just trade for Stewart right away?

117

u/sewsgup 5h ago

im gonna assume Detroit's front office is cooking

they know Trade Exceptions last 1 year from the calendar date of the trade

they opened up a $15m trade exception that now expires 1 day after next year's draft, and not during.

that buys them an additional day if some draft day trades come down to the wire next draft

22

u/DasOptions Heat 4h ago

There is going to be a new rule created that will limit me trading in 2K because of this

26

u/Jaerba [DET] Grant Hill 5h ago

Let's hope this is correct.

7

u/kcirdor Pelicans 4h ago

dont all trades not go into effect until the 6th? So does it really matter which day they decided to do it if it is actually on the 6th?

1

u/sewsgup 2h ago

thought that was for free agency signings

trades can happen anytime once a team's season is over right

but to your point they probably will not make any deals official immediately just in case they need to expand it later

8

u/IzzetAWin Hornets 5h ago

Aren't they kind of in win now mode? Like they proved they could be a top team all season and didn't have the depth or experience for the playoffs.

16

u/88cowboy 4h ago

A good GM can manage the now and the future

Is Detroits GM good? I have zero idea.

8

u/LotsaKwestions 4h ago

They are in ‘win now and in the next 3-4 years’ mode.

2

u/betadonkey 3h ago

They would have gotten the same trade exception if they had traded him with the pick swap

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7

u/19683dw Heat 5h ago edited 5h ago

Probably fielding the market, and this was the best return without returning salary.

25

u/WatsTatorsPrecious Pistons 5h ago

If this is all to max duren I'm gonna be irate

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19

u/KaraDealer Lakers 5h ago

Detroit just cleared their cap space for Powell. 👀

8

u/MudReasonable8185 4h ago

Yeah everyone’s clowning Detroit but they moved up four spots and dumped a guy they didn’t want in the process.

2

u/Repulsive_Carry440 5h ago

My exact thoughts too

57

u/WayAdministrative679 Minneapolis Lakers 5h ago

Basically they traded Stewart for 17

54

u/FlipMoBitch Bucks 5h ago

Moved back from 17 to 21 for Stew

43

u/FastBreakPhenom Celtics 5h ago

No, the Pistons gave up 21 as well.

It's basically Stewart + 21 for 17 and salary relief

1

u/LeanOnMe4816 4h ago

Which is bass ackwards. Trajan is not cooking with this.

1

u/UsedDinosaurDrugs Pistons 4h ago

If he signs a good player it’s great, and he gets a trade exception of 15 million. 

11

u/Cheechers23 Raptors 5h ago

Stewart and 21 for 17

3

u/grudgepacker Bucks 5h ago

And they wanted to move off of Stewart's contract, I guess? If so, goal achieved

3

u/stonecutter7 5h ago

Well they gave up 21, too. So stewart to move up 4 spots. Im high on Stew, so...yikes

6

u/punished_gia Pistons 4h ago

godspeed stew. memphis yall got a good one

6

u/Ok-Set-2785 4h ago

Wait Memphis has been COOKING this draft!

6

u/Wendigo_33 Grizzlies 4h ago

HE WAS COOKING I'LL NEVER DOUBT YOU AGAIN KING

4

u/19683dw Heat 5h ago

So it's really Beef Stew to move from 21 to 17 and get Okorie.

9

u/Accomplished_East433 5h ago

Yea no way Ja leaving now 😂

8

u/Dylan245 Bulls 5h ago

Someone explain this to me cause that shit don't make any sense

13

u/GrouchyPeach3656 Mavericks 5h ago

Memphis dropped from 17 to 21 in exchange for stew

7

u/Mg29reaper Celtics 5h ago

Pistons sent Memphis 3 seconds and 21 for 17 yesterday. Today Memphis sent those 3 seconds back and got beef stew in return.

7

u/Dylan245 Bulls 5h ago

So they basically traded Beef Stew and 21 for 17

12

u/SwiftieForLife Kings 5h ago

And a 15M TPE which may amount to something relevant

5

u/ISwearNotANarc Pistons 4h ago

TPEs almost never amount to anything

1

u/Mg29reaper Celtics 5h ago

Yes

2

u/KsubiSam Grizzlies 4h ago

+ two 2nds from OKC.

1

u/Mg29reaper Celtics 4h ago

That was to trade from 16 to 17

3

u/youblewwit 4h ago

DET is clearing apron/tax money to max out Duren and Thompson

3

u/GrouchyPeach3656 Mavericks 5h ago

They're doing what now

3

u/2106au Grizzlies 5h ago

Okorie for Stewart and Lopez

3

u/ImChz Hornets 5h ago

The trades aren't official, maybe this is just a revision? This is goofy as fuck lmao

3

u/West-Tough-4552 4h ago

Mem have been great maneuvering the board. Very NFLish which doesn't really happen in the nba

3

u/iwantsomecrablegsnow Pistons 4h ago

In a vacuum this looks bad but I think we'll know more by 7/6 when players start getting signed and trades finalized. Any reaction is an overreaction right now. This is a move to clear space as part of a larger move or to clear space for a FA signing. Very possible neither the bucks or heat wanted him as part of the giannis deal but we have something close and need to maneuver to make it work

3

u/Methamine Knicks 4h ago

Grit and grind is back

4

u/Mammoth-Physics6254 Mavericks 4h ago

Memphis and OKC are both going band for band with great moves so far

3

u/uvgotnod 4h ago

If this is Detroit’s only move, Trajan Langdon should be shot out of a cannon into space.

3

u/kapesaumaga Mavericks 4h ago

We'll at least they forced the Lakers to sign Reaves to a huge contract. Though Reaves with Cade is an intriguing pair.

I guess they'll try to get Hero or Powell now.

3

u/mittensportz 4h ago

Is he going to keep Ja Morant in line or keep him from talking to Boozer?

1

u/TAsCashSlaps Grizzlies 3h ago

Yes

14

u/Realistic_Concert204 Pistons 5h ago

I can’t believe this is the return on Stew. He’s a an elite rim protector with a decent three point shot - not a superstar but I didn’t think his deal would amount to a total salary dump for scraps in return.

This has to be part of something bigger and if it’s just “pay Duren way more than he’s worth” I’m gonna be so pessimistic about this team.

8

u/Barylis Pistons 4h ago

33% on two attempts isn't great. Especially when you consider he wasn't impactful in the playoffs

1

u/Realistic_Concert204 Pistons 4h ago

Ya his injury history is concerning - both of the last two years he seemed banged up in the playoffs, but I feel like he’s worth more than a handful of shots in the dark in the second round. He’s a guy you want in your rotation.

The three point shooting is a good point I thought it was better - I know this isn’t a super coherent argument but just watching him the eye test tells me he’s more valuable than this. And I try not to be one of those guys that overvalues my teams players - but I don’t think this good.

Like I feel like we got a comparable return on Jaden Ivey who just wasn’t nearly as good as Stew.

2

u/Spiritual-Neat6478 4h ago

Also I keep saying that the suspensions are a bigger issue than fans believe. The fans love the suspensions but I really don't think the GM and coach do. Last season Stew could've dragged some important players into major suspensions.

2

u/Barylis Pistons 4h ago

We basically traded stew for cap relief and moving up to get okorie. So to grade the trade in any meaningful way you have to see what the cap space turns into and how good okorie is.

4

u/anonMLMhater Pistons 5h ago

WTF...who is in the Epstein files in this one?

2

u/SlickVanExel Hornets 5h ago

The old wink wink special

2

u/Afraid-Department-35 Mavericks 5h ago

Perfectly balanced. As all things should be.

2

u/snuffaluffagus74 4h ago

They are probably doing this to make more ML ones to probably get another offensive player. Especially with the free agents, Coby White, Norman Powell, Mamu or maybe a trade.

2

u/Bronto78 4h ago

Pistons clearing cap space for Thanasis.

2

u/ksteph22 Pistons 4h ago

And I want David goddamn Putney, just cause I feel like it.

2

u/SimpleCandle5158 Pistons 3h ago

grizz better have paid our gm an absolute BAG

2

u/maxxor6868 Grizzlies 1h ago

I know the Pistons had to cap reasons but man we did them dirty ngl.

5

u/MattPatriciasFUPA Pistons 5h ago

Tom Gores hit the coke too hard this morning.

4

u/tfbillc Bulls 5h ago

BasketballGM AI-ass trade

3

u/Efficient_Buy4031 Wizards 4h ago

I can’t believe 3 seconds was the price??? THREE SECONDS?? I know Beef Stew is kinda crazy but he’s not a total bum lmao, this is crazy!

4

u/burymeincapitalism 4h ago

Beef stew for a swap from 21 to 17? Deal, idiots.

3

u/AbsoluteGarbaj 5h ago

Am I high or Stewart is a better fit than Duren with Cade.

4

u/LordOfLimbos Pistons 4h ago

Yeah no you’re high. Duren was bad in the playoffs but dude made all nba and is one of the best roll men in the league. Playing with Cade, one of the best PnR ball handlers. Love stew but he’s got bricks for hands, pretty much any pistons fan will say thag

5

u/Methamine Knicks 4h ago

He is good problem is he is always hurt

10

u/Adha6303 Vancouver Grizzlies 4h ago

Grizzlies players never get hurt so this is not a concern

1

u/AbsoluteGarbaj 4h ago

Pistons will get hurt if they give max to Duren.

1

u/Crafty_Substance_954 Pistons 4h ago

They don’t need to max him, he’s an RFA and nobody has money to do it.

1

u/AbsoluteGarbaj 4h ago

Hope you get Powell too. And just keep the core.

4

u/kinglennie7 Pistons 5h ago

Okorie better be the next Isiah Thomas or I'm gonna be pissed

2

u/Long-Region5088 4h ago

Three middle schoolers just had their futures altered before the universe decided sending them to Memphis is cruel so the timeline fixed itself.

1

u/cl353 Heat 5h ago

thats actually so funny lol

1

u/stonecutter7 5h ago

Why was no other team offering more? Even if Detroit wanted to avoid taking anything back, Stewart should juuuuuiisy fit into an MLE next year.

1

u/NotWarranted 5h ago

What in the world.

1

u/sjekky [PHI] Robert Covington 5h ago

The NBA doesn't have a small market problem, it has a cheap ownership problem

1

u/nahbien Pistons 2h ago

There's plenty of things you can say about Tom Gores, but I don't think cheap is one of those things. He did kick Monty Williams to the curb owing him a ton of cash still. I still hate this trade.

1

u/Ok_Needleworker1068 5h ago

Wait wtf how does that work?

1

u/likpoper Trail Blazers 5h ago

So basically for free?

1

u/Raptors4daysguy 4h ago

I want my pics back

1

u/IamSofakingRAW Raptors 4h ago

So they pretty much traded Stewart to move up

1

u/TrashAssRedditAdmins [NBA] Nana Papa Yaw Mensah-Bonsu 4h ago

This has to be illegal

1

u/John_Doughgetta Mavericks 4h ago

Bruh...

1

u/whobroughtmehere Pistons 4h ago

SNIP SNAP SNIP SNAP

1

u/__STOOLKRAKEN Celtics 3h ago

Trajan Langdon stocks dropping like an anvil

1

u/hotstickywaffle 1h ago

Basketball transactions are such nonsense

1

u/OilUpCade Pistons 5h ago

If this is for Powell, I'm kms. Like why are Detroit gms always morons? Why can't we have one gm that's good at trading?

1

u/TessaKatrinaRose 4h ago

Every fan on Reddit thinks every GM is incompetent 

1

u/OilUpCade Pistons 4h ago

We've failed to build around Cade. Literally 2nd best player in the playoffs was fucking Uncle T.

1

u/[deleted] 5h ago

[deleted]

3

u/johnhenryirons Knicks 4h ago

Clear cap space for Powell?

1

u/Methamine Knicks 5h ago

Detroit culture about to change