Isaiah Stewart’s one-game suspension and $50,000 fine highlight a troubling trend in his play. The Detroit Pistons forward crossed the NBA’s flagrant foul limit early in the season, becoming one of the first players suspended for excessive infractions as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Chris Haynes reported that Stewart has been suspended one game for accessing his sixth Flagrant Foul point and fined $50,000 for making inappropriate and objectionable gestures following an ejection. A game suspension will cost Stewart $86,207 so this suspension will cost him about $136k in total. His on-court intensity, while valuable, also makes him a liability. Detroit now faces a dilemma: Can they afford to keep relying on a player who often finds himself in trouble?
Isaiah Stewart Suspension Reveals Ugly Truth About His Impact
Stewart’s Defensive Value
Despite his disciplinary issues, Stewart remains Detroit’s best interior defender. His 7’4″ wingspan allows him to protect the rim effectively. He ranks in the 91st percentile in rim defense and blocks 4.7% of the shots he faces, putting him in the 93rd percentile. Opponents shoot 3.9% worse when he contests their shots, which places him in the 94th percentile. His defensive presence is undeniable, making him a key part of Detroit’s identity.
Offensive Regression Raises Concerns
While Stewart excels defensively, his offensive game has regressed. Last season, he showed promise as a pick-and-pop big, hitting threes at a respectable rate. However, Detroit has cut back on his outside shooting this season. If a team views him as a stretch big, his current numbers could be a red flag-24.2% on 0.8 attempts per game. Without a reliable perimeter shot, he becomes a traditional big, limiting his offensive impact.
Trade Interest and Detroit’s Decision
The Pistons have resisted trading Stewart in the past. Even Pistons executive Trajan Langdon previously expressed interest in acquiring him during his time on the New Orleans Pelicans . However, with the trade deadline approaching, Detroit must decide if Stewart’s defensive impact outweighs his offensive struggles and disciplinary issues.
The New York Knicks have emerged as a potential suitor. They need a backup big to play behind Karl-Anthony Towns . Stewart’s defensive versatility makes him an attractive option. If the Pistons believe Cade Cunningham needs immediate help, they might consider moving Stewart in a deal for a proven scorer.
A Reputation That Could Cost Him
Stewart’s suspension reflects a growing problem. His aggressive style benefits Detroit, but his inability to stay on the court hurts them. Teams want tough defenders, but not ones who risk suspensions. If Stewart doesn’t adjust, his value could decline despite his strong defensive numbers. He was suspended for a game for an altercation with LeBron James in 2021-22 and for three games for a pre-game dustup with Drew Eubanks in 2023-24.
This strongly resembles the conundrum of Draymond Green on the Golden State Warriors . He’s an effective defender but has baggages.
The Verdict: Medium Risk, High Reward
Isaiah Stewart remains a valuable player, but his suspension highlights an uncertainty surrounding his value. His defensive impact is undeniable, yet his disciplinary record and offensive decline create concerns. The Pistons must weigh their options carefully. Do they continue to bet on his upside, or do they move on before his reputation causes a drop in trade value? The coming weeks will provide the answer.
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