Isaiah Stewart's League-Best 43.8% Rim Defense is Hitting the Trade Block, and Half the NBA is Lining Up!

Alright 12s, our Mariners are getting fired up and the Seahawks are hitting the offseason, but man, the NBA rumor mill is ALREADY scorching hot as we look ahead to June's draft. The chatter out of the Association is wild right now, and there's one name making serious waves that could shake up the entire league: Isaiah Stewart! This dude is a certified problem in the paint, and the Detroit Pistons are reportedly making him available this summer. Get ready, because things are about to get spicy!

The Beast in the Paint is Available, and Everyone Wants a Piece

So, the scoop from Sam Amick at The Athletic is that the Pistons have got to fork out some serious cash for Jalen Duren this summer, and with Paul Reed showing out in the playoffs, they're looking to move their physical defensive center, Isaiah Stewart. And let me tell you, teams are lining up around the block! Jake Fischer at The Stein Line reports that the Bucks, Celtics, Spurs, and Heat are the top contenders right now. Think about it: Stewart is a 6'8" bruiser, a true physical defensive presence in the paint. Last season, he was blocking 1.6 shots per game, but get this, he held opposing players to a league-best 43.8% shooting at the rim when he was their primary defender! That's insane! While he's not exactly an offensive wizard, he still put up a solid 10 points a game on 55% shooting. This guy is the real deal defensively. Boston wants him for a front-line upgrade for a title run, San Antonio needs a physical presence to play alongside Victor Wembanyama or be a solid backup, and Miami and Milwaukee are just desperate for talent up front. This move could seriously change the defensive landscape of the league.

Celtics, Wolves, and the Big Man Hunt

The Celtics are clearly hungry for a center upgrade. Look, no disrespect to Neemias Queta, who had a solid season for Boston, but if Jayson Tatum is back and they want to contend, they know they need more. That's why Fischer reports Boston actually talked to the Timberwolves about Rudy Gobert at the February trade deadline, likely floating a Derrick White for Gobert swap. Minnesota isn't exactly shopping Gobert, but their GM, Tim C

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

onnelly, is aggressive and is apparently open to unexpected trades. Meanwhile, the Wolves are looking for wing and guard depth since Donte DiVincenzo is out for most, if not all, of next season. That's why they like Boston's White. There's also some talk about Josh Giddey, but honestly, take that with a huge grain of salt. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News says Giddey needs the ball to be effective, and Minnesota isn't trying to take it out of Anthony Edwards' hands. Plus, Giddey isn't cheap, he's only in the second season of a four-year, $100 million deal. Fischer also added that Minnesota is more willing to put Julius Randle in trade talks than Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid are totally "off-limits."

Morant's Next Chapter and Other Hot Rumors

The Memphis Grizzlies are actively trying to trade Ja Morant this summer. They tried to make a deal at the February deadline, even sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah, but nothing materialized. Now, Sam Amick at The Athletic reports they're hoping Morant becomes a "Plan B" for a team that strikes out in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Miami is the obvious name there, even if they're still the frontrunner for Giannis. Amick mentioned New Orleans and Sacramento as other potential suitors. New Orleans wants to win now, and a Morant-Zion Williamson pairing would be wild, even if they're only healthy for a handful of games. Sacramento is looking to reset from its older core, and Morant, at 26, could be a key piece for them. And that's not all! Boston has eyes on Trey Murphy III from New Orleans and might try to snag the two-way wing with a couple of first-round picks. Portland reportedly wants in on the Jaylen Brown sweepstakes if Boston makes him available. Right now, he's not really available unless it's for an Antetokounmpo trade. Don't bet on Boston just shopping their All-NBA player who's coming off his best season ever. Oh, and Luka Doncic apparently laid out what he's looking for, but the details are still under wraps. The NBA Draft is just around the corner in June, and these rumors are only going to pick up speed. Who lands where? What big names are actually on the move? Get ready, because the Emerald City might not have an NBA team *yet*, but we're still watching this drama unfold like hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.