NBA Trade Idea: Pistons' Isaiah Stewart to Rockets?

The Houston Rockets could make a bold move and trade for Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 25, 2024

NBA Trade Idea: Pistons' Isaiah Stewart to Rockets? /

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are two weeks away from the NBA Trade Deadline, and they hold a very powerful draft asset.

This year, the Rockets can swap their pick with the Brooklyn Nets as part of the James Harden blockbuster trade from 2021. With January coming to an end, that pick is projected to be No. 8 overall and a six percent chance to go all the way to No. 1.

Jae'Sean Tate Isaiah Stewart Pistons — Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Either the Rockets can keep the pick and continue adding young talent, or they can cash it in for some help right now. ESPN suggests that the Rockets could deal the pick to the Detroit Pistons, along with Victor Oladipo and Jock Landale for Isaiah Stewart and Alec Burks.

The pick is top-eight protected, meaning the Rockets would get the selection unless it falls out of that range. If it isn't conveyed, the Rockets would send a pair of second-round picks.

It's a risky deal, especially because the Rockets could be surrendering the No. 9 overall pick for a 32-year-old Burks on an expiring contract and Stewart, whose four-year, $60 million contract kicks in next season.

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However, the Rockets could be getting exactly what they need in Stewart, who shoots 38 percent from the 3-point line and can act as a backup center for Alperen Sengun.

It's a pricy get in terms of money perhaps, but if the Rockets take a risk like this and it pays off? They could accelerate their rebuild even further.

Published Jan 25, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.