According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Detroit Pistons have placed Isaiah Stewart on the trade block. That should interest the Utah Jazz, especially if Walker Kessler leaves in restricted free agency. If the Jazz were to lose Kessler, Isaiah Stewart could be a very interesting partner alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., or even a backup.
Stewart’s defensive abilities would pair beautifully next to Jackson. He could guard the bigs while Jackson comes over to help in the paint. Or, if the Jazz wanted to bring him off the bench, he could replicate the defensive abilities Jackson gives them (obviously, on a smaller scale).
Should Utah lose Kessler, it should pivot its attention to Stewart on the trade market.
Jazz could target Isaiah Stewart if Walker Kessler leaves
Obviously, the Jazz’s top priority this summer should be retaining Kessler. He will be a restricted free agent, and if they bring him back, he’ll be a huge part of the team’s future.
However, recent rumblings have indicated that Kessler may not be too pleased with the way the Jazz are handling things. Utah reportedly offered a five-year, $140 million contract, but Kessler isn’t interested.
A recent Instagram post indicates that Kessler still wants to stick around in Utah, but if the two sides can't come to an agreement on a new contract, it's not impossible that he decides he wants out eventually.
But again, let’s briefly live in a world where Kessler does leave the Jazz. Then what? Well, Utah could turn its attention to Stewart, targeting him as a potential replacement option.
Stewart was one of the best backup bigs in the league last year, dominating on the defensive end of the court. He didn’t play super well in the playoffs, but he still had his moments.
Adding him to an already-huge Jazz lineup would make up for the fact that he isn’t the tallest center himself. His physicality and intensity could help set the culture in Utah.
If the Jazz wanted to use Stewart as a starter, they could roll out Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jackson, and Stewart. And if they wanted to bring him off the bench, they could just run Jackson as a small-ball five with Ace Bailey as a three.
The point is, adding Stewart would give the Jazz even more defense while also providing some lineup flexibility. He’d be a very intriguing addition, especially if Kessler were to depart in restricted free agency.
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