Grizzlies’ Stewart Excited For ‘New Chapter’ In Memphis

According to Spears, Stewart said Trajan Langdon told him he could be moved in the 2024 offseason, when Langdon became the Pistons’ president of basketball operations. The 25-year-old center/forward stayed with the Pistons for two more seasons, helping the club rise dramatically up the standings, before being dealt this summer.

Stewart said he had mixed feelings about the 2025/26 campaign, when Detroit won an East-best 60 games. He fell out of the rotation at times in the playoffs and admitted to Spears that he was frustrated by his lack of postseason playing time.

“Bittersweet. We had a great season,” Stewart said. “Sixty wins. No. 1 in the East. And that’s how I always pictured Detroit being since I got drafted — bringing back that identity, that toughness brand to Detroit. I feel like we did that in the regular season. And the playoffs came and it didn’t go exactly how we planned or talked about.”

Stewart, who was selected 15th overall in the 2020 draft, initially believed he was going to be traded to the Lakers or Wizards, Spears writes, before his agent called him and told him he was headed to Memphis.

“(Agent Drew 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.

“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.”

Stewart told Spears he received phone calls from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren after the deal and both of his former teammates wished him well with the Grizzlies.

According to Spears, restricted free agent center Duren is “seeking a near-max contract” from Detroit, while the Pistons are currently offering $35-38MM per year. Stewart thinks Duren has earned a massive payday.

“It’s tricky, but [Duren] proved he’s worth what he’s asking for to the organization, if you ask me,” Stewart said. “They act like they want him to prove it (before last season, when he was eligible for a rookie scale extension), and I felt he proved it. He was an All-Star, third-team All-NBA. I feel like he should get paid.

“He’s a huge core piece. Bring him back. … He’s been getting better every year. … I hope it works out and I hope he gets that money at the end of the day.”

Stewart also spoke to Spears about the “great opportunity” he has with the Grizzlies and his desire to revive the “grit and grind” era of the team.