The Detroit Pistons are finally giving an extension to one of their draft picks. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons have signed forward Isaiah Stewart to a four-year rookie extension.
The extension was confirmed to Wojnarowski by Stewart’s representatives, who said that the deal is worth $64 million.
Prior to Stewart, the Pistons haven’t signed one of their players to a rookie extension since 2008. This doesn’t include center Andrew Drummond, who signed a new deal with the franchise after he became a restricted free agent.
Stewart was drafted 16th overall by Detroit in 2020 and has become a valuable contributor for a young Pistons team. He had his best season as a pro in 2022-23, averaging a career-high 11.7 points to go with 8.1 rebounds.
The Pistons are now hoping that Stewart can continue developing as the franchise makes the transition from a rebuild toward contention. The team hired Monty Williams as their new head coach this season and has an intriguing mix of talented players and dependable veterans that could help them do so.
Stewart is the fifth player from the 2020 draft class to get a rookie extension and the first to receive less than max. Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, and Memphis Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane all got maximum rookie extensions from their respective teams.
