Cade Cunningham admitted that Isaiah Stewart’s departure has changed the feel around the Detroit Pistons after the longtime teammate was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason.
“That’s somebody that I planned on playing my whole career with,” Cunningham said, via Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “For him to not be around, it is weird. It feels like I’m a rookie again, like I’m stepping into something new because I don’t have him with me.”
Stewart was sent to Memphis as part of a six-team trade in July that also involved the Clippers, Bucks, Mavericks and Wizards. Detroit received John Collins, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris in the deal, along with future draft compensation.
Stewart had spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with the Pistons after Detroit selected him with the 16th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He became an important part of Cunningham’s early years in Detroit, making his departure particularly significant for the Pistons’ franchise player.
Stewart averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 58 games during the 2025-26 season. He shot a career-best 55.0% from the field and connected on 33.3% of his three-point attempts while also receiving Sixth Man of the Year votes.
Cunningham, meanwhile, established himself as one of the NBA’s leading players last season. The 24-year-old averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists in 64 games while shooting 46.1% from the field and 34.2% from three-point range.
He finished fifth in MVP voting, fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned All-NBA First Team and All-Star honors.
Detroit won 60 games and finished first in the Eastern Conference during Cunningham’s third full season, but the Pistons were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the conference semifinals.
The Pistons subsequently reshaped their frontcourt, acquiring Collins in the Stewart trade while also adding Prince and Harris. Detroit also acquired Isaiah Joe from Oklahoma City and re-signed Kevin Huerter to a three-year, $27 million contract.
The organization has continued investing in its young core as well, with Ausar Thompson signing a five-year, $155 million rookie-scale extension.
