Isaiah Stewart Thought Wizards or Lakers Before Grizzlies Trade

Isaiah Stewart initially believed he was headed to the Washington Wizards or the Los Angeles Lakers when the Detroit Pistons traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies over the summer. The veteran center, who is entering his seventh NBA season, has since become a key part of a Memphis team that started the season 5-0.

A surprise phone call

Stewart recalled how he first learned of the move. His agent called him with what Stewart believed might be a trade to Washington or Los Angeles. A few minutes later, the agent called back with a different update. According to Stewart, Trajan had called and offered a deal from Memphis that he could not turn down.

Stewart spoke about the change in an interview with Marc Spears. He said the move was an ideal fresh start, even though Memphis was not where he had expected to go during the offseason. He added that he is happy with where he ended up.

Reputation versus personality

Stewart is known around the league as an aggressive center who is ready to fight at any moment. He said that reputation does not capture everything about him. "A lot of people judge me off of my perception as a basketball player, and an enforcer," Stewart said. "To me, I think of it as I'm going to war. But I'm so competitive, that's just who I am."

Early contributions for Memphis

Stewart has been productive for the Grizzlies. He is averaging 11.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 66.7% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the 3-point arc. His role as the team's defensive enforcer has grown since he left Detroit, the only NBA team he had played for before this season.

Memphis has won six of its first eight games, after opening the season with five straight wins.